Portuguese and Spanish Sources on Safavid Iran

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Translated into English for the first time, this volume brings together four remarkable yet long-overlooked travelogues - three Portuguese and one Spanish - offering vivid firsthand accounts of 16th- and 17th-century journeys through Iran and the Ottoman Empire. These Iberian travelers open a rare window into Safavid Iran and Ottoman Turkey, revealing the political, cultural, and religious landscapes of the time.

Though little is known about the authors themselves, their observations are rich with detail, offering insight into the cross-cultural dynamics of a region shaped by empire, trade, and conflict. The selected chapters focus on Iran - a land of enduring fascination - along with key episodes relating to Ottoman-Safavid relations, chosen for their historical value.

Clearly translated and accompanied by meticulous, informative annotations, this book provides essential context for readers navigating these early modern texts. With its focus on a rarely explored corner of travel literature, this book invites scholars, students, and curious readers alike to rediscover a world of perilous overland routes, imperial rivalries, and unexpected encounters across Iran and Turkey.