Touring Ottoman Lands

Murray's Routes for Southwest Asia, 1850-1900

Routes of 1845 Murray's handbook overlayed on photos of cities along the routes

an online platform visualizing the routes to Southwest Asia
in Murray's Handbooks for Travellers

See all Routes
Route 29 (1854)
Smyrna to the Troad and the Hellespont, by the Thyatira, Pergamos, and Assos - Tour of the Troad.
Route 29 plotted on Google map and two photos of cities along the route
Route 30 (1854)
Tour of the Seven Churches: – Smyrna to Ephesus, Laodicea, Philadelphia, Sardis, Thyatira, and Pergamos.
Route 30 plotted on Google map and two photos of cities along the route
Route 35 (1854)
Constantinople to Busrah, by Samsoon, Diarbekir, Moussul and Bagdad.
Route 35 plotted on Google map and two photos of cities along the route
Route 43 (1854)
Constantinople, by Afyun Karahissar and Aidinjik, to Konia and Kaisariyeh.
Route 43 plotted on Google map and two photos of cities along the route
Route 60 (1854)
Trebizond to Erzeroom and Persia.
Route 60 plotted on Google map and two photos of cities along the route

During the 19th century, major developments in transportation and the broad distribution of travel literature reshaped the principles of global travel, marking this period as a pivotal moment in the evolution of tourism. Within this context, the Ottoman Empire emerged as a prominent destination for the burgeoning tourist classes. Guidebooks, notably John Murray's Handbooks for Travellers, played a crucial role in structuring and refining the tourist experience, offering curated routes and comprehensive descriptions of key destinations.

Through a diachronic visualization, the project aims to present a comprehensive look at the evolving tourist landscapes within the Ottoman Empire and beyond in Southwest Asia during the second half of the 19th century.

About the Project