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June 6-18, 2023
Something different and unique for us – a history focused tour. You will take in three countries (Turkey, Bosnia and Hungary) as we trace the path of the Ottomans as they concurred territories from Constantinople through the Balkans and onto the doorstep of Western Europe. Tour will be lead by Dr. Lee Beaudoen and a colleague from Istanbul.
This tour looks at the Ottoman empire from 14th to the 20th centuries. Its seed of inspiration is the 16th century Suleymanname Tarih-i feth-i Siklos ve Estergen, ve Istol-Belgrad (his full name). This narrative history tells the story of Süleymnan the Magnificent’s (Suleyman the Lawgiver, Kanuni Suleyman) Western European campaign through the Balkans and ending with the capture of Buda. The destinations on the tour focus not only historical contexts but also on the major thematic issues central understanding the Eastern Mediterranean, The Ottoman Empire, and the Balkans states that emerged after the Ottoman Empire.
This tour is for those who have an intellectual curiosity and passion for history and architectural history and are looking for a deeper travel experience. Throughout the trip, I will supplement the topics, themes, and contexts with readings and discussion at inspiring venues to enrich that travel experience and deepen guests’ understanding of the past Ottoman legacy in the Balkans.
Days 1-4
Istanbul, Turkey
Highlights include: Classic sights of Istanbul tour (Hagia Sofia, Blue Mosque, Topkapia palace); Traditional Ottoman meal and intro to Turkish wines at local wine bar, Ottoman/off-the-grid Istanbul sights (Rumeli fortress, Byzantine walls, Rüstem Pasha Mosque), day trip to Edirne.
Historic Context Istanbul: The third and final capital of the Ottoman Empire, Konstantoniyye; Constantinople/Պոլիս/Πολις served as the administrative center for the empire from 1453. Its key position on the Sea of Marmara and the Bosporus offered an ideal location from which to oversee both parts of the empire. Discussion and activities in and around Istanbul will focus on the early Ottoman Empire and Istanbul’s role as an imperial capital and its expansion along the Bosporus straits beginning in the 17th century. Istanbul is also the ideal venue to discuss the Romano-Byzantine legacy which the Ottoman inherited in the fifteenth century and the complex social and cultural dynamics of the Greek, Armenian and Jewish millets, which emerged during the Ottoman period.
Historic Context Edirne: The second capital of the Ottoman Empire offers a contrast to post-conquest Istanbul, when AYA Sofya influenced mosque architecture. Edirne like Izmir/Smyrna and Istanbul, also supported a large Jewish population and served as the largest city in Thrace.
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Days 5-7
Sarajevo, Bosnia
Highlights include: Walking tour of Sarajevo’s old town including Turkish quarter, 1990’s war and First World War history. Day trip to Mostar to see its famous single-arch stone bridge and learn the proper ways to enjoy your Bosnian (Turkish) coffee.
Historic Context Sarajevo: As the capital of Bosnia, Sarajevo played a crucial role in the early twentieth century when it was the site of the assassination of the Archduke Franz Joseph on 28. June 1914 — an event memorialized as a trigger for WWI. Sarajevo and Bosnia as a whole became critical as former Ottoman territory that was annexed by the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1908. The full annexation of the territory stuck a sensitive nerve in Belgrade; it forecasted one fate for the Serbia state. Sarajevo and Bosnia as a whole stood were at the center of Balkan wars in the 1990s.
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Day 8
Pecs, Hungary with stop in Villany lunch and wine
Highlights include: Walking tour of city center. Lunch with wines in southern Hungarian wine region of Villany.
Historic Context Pecs: The City of Pecs is one of the largest cities in modern Hungary and is close to the key wine-producing region of Villanyi. Near the Croatian border, Pécs offers a pleasant urban location to discuss the Battle of Mohacs and the Szigetvár, the original place of Suleyman’s burial before his remains were transferred to Süleymaniye.
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Days 9-12
Budapest, Hungary
Highlights include: Classic walking tour of Budapest’s districts. A delicious eat-your-way through the Central market food walk. Lunch at beautiful Lake Balaton on the way to Budapest. Sunset river cruise on Danube with wines. Day trip to smaller Hungarian towns along the Danube to visit some key Ottoman palaces and have optional hike.
Historic Context Budapest: The current capital of Hungary and former “second city’ of the Austro-Hungarian empire Budapest was three cities until its unification in 1870. Budapest offers an excellent venue to talk about Hungarian models of kingship, perhaps best exemplified by Hunyadi Janos and Matthias Corvinus and Hungary’s own responses to imperialism, nationalism and its Ottoman legacy. Day trips from Budapest Esztergom and Visegrad will highlight these themes.
