Travellers who came from Northern and Western Europe to the Mediterranean area from the 15th century onwards, almost always paid a visit to the Aegean islands and the Asia Minor coasts.
The majority of them preferred the collection and study of antiquities, while some had also other interests, which included the natural environment, society, daily life. They recorded what they encountered on their journey in diaries and books, most of which where enriched with woodcuts, watercolors and engravings created by the travellers themselves or artists who accompanied them.
Browse the rare editions of two important travellers:
The French naturalist and physician Pierre Belon (1517-1565)
Johannes van Cootwijck or Johannes Cotovicus (?-1628) from Flanders