The Overland Route Between Bild Al-hm and Istanbul During the Ottoman Era: Evidence from Arabic Travelogues

Abstract

Drawing on Arabic travelogues, this study traces the overland routes that were used by travellers between Bilād Al-S̲hām and Istanbul during the Ottoman era. The study also identifies the key towns and villages located along these routes and delves into how Arab voyagers documented these towns and villages’ names as close as possible to their original Ottoman names. Moreover, the means of transportation that were used were also identified. The study draws a comprehensive table with the names of the places that the Arab voyagers documented either on their way to Istanbul or on the way back home. By drawing on Arabic travelogues, the study makes a significant contribution to historical geography during the Ottoman Empire.