Evliya Çelebi - Traveler
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Evliya Çelebi's travel adventures began in Istanbul. There he wandered the streets and began to record his first impressions. which were often vividly descriptive, owings to his active imagination and passionate nature. Step by step, he saw all of Istanbul until there remained nothing he had not seen nor anyone he had not talked with. He found his way to the court of eminent men; he sat and listened in the coffee shops and wine shops to storytellers and converts. He devoted his life to travel distant lands, and possessed the desire to see the whole world and acquaint himself with everybody and learn everything.
In 1661 he took part in the Austrian campaign of Sultan Mehmet IV and he was one of the envoys to Vienna. From Vienna he embarked on a long journey into Europe. Wishing to perform his religious duty of pilgrimage, he traversed with a number of friends the eastern sections of Anatolia and eventually reached Cairo.
Evliya Çelebi showed an undying interest in the characteristics of the countries in which he journeyed and in the people he met. This unflagging curiosity and extraordinary ability for observation is obvious in his work. One can read a long and detailed account of every city, town, mosque, medrese (theological school), inn, bath, castle and rampart he deemed important. In his works he also gives a vivid account of the wars he experienced and the characteristics of the pashas and viziers he served.
Evliya Çelebi was a knowledgeable man with a passion for discovery. His famous Seyahatname (book of travels) cover all his journeys and the historical events of the 17th century Ottoman Empire with vivid insights into the life of the period. It is an invaluable source of historic and geographic knowledge.
Evliya Çelebi was also a calligrapher, decorator, musician and a poet in his own way. He was very fond of all works of art and books whether miniature or illuminated. He had a beautiful voice and a deep knowledge of musical instruments. So busy with his endeavors, he spared no time for marriage in his fifty years of travel and consequently had no offspring. He was 73 years old when he died.
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By
Tosun Saral 17.11.2006
One day his friends asked him ”Hey Celebi why do you travel in winter, in rain, in the no man lands, in the deserts?”
He answered ” One day I saw Muhammed in my dream. I was so surprised and my tonque could pronounce the right word and wished him instead of intercession on the trial day but travel”
Let me explain in Turkish ”
Schefaat= intercession
Seyahat= travel
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