Sicilia e Malta nelle relazioni di viaggio del secolo diciassettesimo

Abstract

For 18th century intellectuals, travelling to Europe meant a fundamental moment of cultural formation in their lives. Their favourite countries, besides Italy and its south, were Northern Europe, the Balkans, Russia and Spain. In their travel accounts the reader finds fascinating descriptions of cities, landscapes, famous and common people, traditions. Diaries and travel accounts become, therefore, the first studies of a sociological nature. This article will focus on the travel accounts written by European writers, such as Rezzonico, Byrdone and Denon, who included Malta in their itineraries. The Maltese intellectuals of that epoch, such as Leonardo A be la, Domenico Magri and Francesco Buonamico, have also left interesting accounts of their travels especially to Africa, Northern Europe and the Middle East.