The world expands and multiplies through the eyes of a true traveler, taking us deep into the layers of time and history. In Travelogues of the Old World: A Historian’s Journey, Turkey's preeminent historian İlber Ortaylı takes on the mantle of a global explorer, inviting readers on a captivating expedition across vastly different corners of the earth. As he traverses the globe, Ortaylı demonstrates that simply seeing a city is never enough; true exploration requires a profound understanding of the civilizations and cultures that built it.

"The name of this book is not random," Ortaylı explains. "It contains my travels from the days when the Balkans and the Middle East still retained their old atmosphere. When you see a country again, you don't face the same picture. History is an area of evaluation that a traveler cannot give up... My old world is changing today."

From the historic streets of Thessaloniki and Baku to the vibrant landscapes of Venice, Tokyo, Andalusia, and Moscow; from Bosnia to Egypt, Jerusalem to Crimea, and Berlin to Budapest—Ortaylı blends immense geographies with his unparalleled historical wisdom. He interprets the lifestyles and civilizational wealth of these regions, creating a breathtaking cultural documentary. Ultimately, Travelogues of the Old World is not a nostalgic longing for the past, but a profound re-examination of it—offering an indispensable key to accurately understanding the world of today.