Evaluation of non-muslims and their lifestyles in ıstanbul by the european travelers during the ottoman period: between the 16th and 19th centuries

Abstract

The number of expeditions by European travelers to the Ottoman Empire inc- reased considerably starting from the 16th Century. And the number of travel books reached a peak in the 19th Century. There are various reasons behind those expeditions. Some of those people were charged with a special mission by a European state, some were members of official delegates and some others had to travel due to the jobs of their fathers or spouses. This study focuses on travel books that give information about Istanbul, the Capital of the Ottoman Empire and especially nonMuslims living in the city, their beliefs and religious lives. Therefore, significant travel books written in three different periods are chosen as examples. First of them is Türkiye Günlüğü written by Stefan Gerlach, an Austrian theologian who lived in the 16th Century. The travel book of Joseph de Tournefort, a traveler, represents the 17th Century. Lastly, a work written by Miss Pardoe, daughter of an Imperial Army officer, during her stay in Istanbul is studied to represent 19th Century travel books. The “Eurocentric” view, just like in other souces written by Europeans, can be felt remarkably in these travel books. It can be observed both in evaluations of the Ottoman lands and description of people living on it. Nevertheless, all three travel books also provide important information about non-Muslims and their religious lives in Istanbul in the mentioned centuries.