Travels to Tana and Persia : A narrative of Italian travels in Persia, in the 15th and 16th centuries

The volume collects two vivid Italian accounts of journeys through Persia at the dawn of the Safavid age. Josafa Barbaro and Ambrogio Contarini set out as envoys and merchants, threading their way from the Red Sea port of Tana into the heart of a realm reshaped by Shah Ismail. Their observations capture bustling bazaars, the stark desert landscape, and the elaborate ceremonies of a court striving to define a new Persian identity. Readers also hear the travelers’ reactions to the clash of languages, religions, and the lingering influence of Turkish tribes.

Presented in a careful translation that preserves the original’s quirks, the narratives blend practical details—routes, provisions, and diplomatic gifts—with personal reflections on hospitality and danger. The introductions provide context on the political upheavals of the time, making the work a useful window into early modern intercultural exchange. Listening feels like stepping into a 16th‑century diary, hearing the rustle of caravans and the murmur of Persian courts.