Travel Diary of Juliusz Słowacki's Journey to the East

Travel diary of Juliusz Słowacki, containing drawings, watercolours, poems and notes from his travels in the Middle East in the years 1835–1837. Juliusz Słowacki is the leading writer of Polish Romanticism. He is an author of many poetic and dramatic works, which still shape the canon of Polish literature. As early as in his youth Słowacki dreamed of exotic travel, which was characteristic of the Romantic era. From 1831 on, Słowacki was in exile and travelled around Europe, visiting Dresden, Paris and London, among other places. In 1836, together with some friends, he set off from Naples to the Holy Land. He also visited Greece and Egypt. He finished his journey in 1837.
The travel diary is an exceptionally interesting phenomenon within the poet’s creative output. It is a kind of notebook containing literary works, sketches, drawings and watercolours, as well as notes concerning accounts and financial settlements, including from a later period after his return from the journey. The manuscript stands out as the largest and most aesthetically valuable collection of Słowacki’s drawings and watercolours. There are twelve pencil drawings with varying degrees of finish, three watercolours and four barely started sketches. In addition, the album contains 16 autographs of poems. Many researchers consider this diary to be the most valuable souvenir that remains of Słowacki. Text in Polish.