Victor de Caraman’s Crimean Travel

Abstract

This paper analyses a poorly-known source on the history of the Crimea, the travelogue by French Victor de Caraman, who visited the peninsula in spring 1784. The 22-year-old traveller made a tour of Europe as a part of the educational programme foreseeing practical acquaintance with the life of foreign countries and strange peoples. His travel diary was intended for memory and not for publication. Later on, de Caraman made an outstanding career on the French diplomatic service. The Crimean fragment of his travelogue was published after his death. Although de Caraman was under protection of almighty Grigorii Potemkin and Russian generals in the Crimea, his evaluations of the events on the peninsula were often unpleasant to Russia. He paid attention to a series of crises events appearing on the eve and after the unification of the Crimea with Russia. Simultaneously, the traveller marked the government’s actions towards the integration of the region into the imperial structure and opportunities of the economic development of the country. De Caraman described the strongholds of the Russian army and Black Sea navy in the Crimea in details. He also studied the natural environment and population of the peninsula. Interesting are his reflections on the Crimean antiquities and particularly an episode with “excavations” at the ancient town atop Mangup plateau. The Russian translation of de Caraman’s travelogue with necessary comments is published.