Browse Items (13 total)

This postcard, printed in the late 1950s, emphasizes the strong visual relationship between Basrah and Venice. Basra is located approximately 65 miles to the North of the Persian Gulf and is characterized by a broad system of canals. The resonance…

The Portuguese arrived in Colombo - on the island of Sri Lanka - in the early 16th century. One of their first activities was to build a fortification to protect their military and merchants. Gasparo Balbi visited the Colombo fort in XXX, 15XX and…

Van Heemskerck's pen and brown ink drawing offers one of many reconstructive illustrations of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Van Heemsckerk's image dates to approximately 1570, just a decade prior to Balbi's December 1579 arrival

This photograph depicts the ruins of an Augustinian church situated in Chaul. Chaul was an important Portuguese center for trade as early as 1521, but was abandoned in the mid 18th century. The Augustinian church was under construction during…

Othello's castle overlooks the Mediterranean Ocean. It is situated at the eastern most point of the island of Cyprus, in the city of Famagusta. Originally built by the Lusignan family in the 13th century, the fortress was completed renovated when…

It comes as little surprise that Balbi spent a good deal of time in the Portuguese colony, including the activities that took place daily on the Rua dirieta, the city's main commercial thoroughfare. This dutch engraving captures the hustle and bustle…

Balbi visited the Elephanta Caves in 15XX and recorded a lengthy history of the site, linking it specifically with Alexander the Great. In fact, this Hindu monument - situated on an island outside of Mumbai -date to approximately 550 CE.

Ceasare de'Federici was a jeweler/merchant/traveler who spent much of his life in southeast Asia in search of gemstones to be sent to his home in the Republic of Venice.