The chronicles of the tour of the Iberian peninsula of Cosimo III de’ Medici: Classification of sources and authors

Abstract

Cosimo III de’ Medici (1642-1723), Grand Duke of Tuscany between 1670 and 1723, has passed into history as one of the great travellers of his time, also one of the monarchs most versed in geography, cartography, botany—and authority in knowledge that would currently be qualified as intercultural. His virtues, however, have been marred by the negative historical judgment of Cosimo III as a ruler. When he was still heir to the throne, Cosimo de’ Medici made a number of travels which began in 1667 and lasted, with brief stays in Florence, until November 1, 1669, date of his definitive return. The tour of the Iberian Peninsula was extended from 25 September 1668 (when Medici’s entourage arrived in Cadaqués) until March 19, 1669, when they set sail from Corunna heading towards England. In this article we will survey the classification of all of the known sources of the journey by Cosimo de’ Medici in Spain and Portugal. a survey never before undertaken thoroughly and comparatively. This paper will as well identify real or attributed authors of the said sources.

Keywords

• Cosimo III de’ Medici
• viajes por España y Portugal
• literatura y crónicas de viajes
• autores italianos del siglo XVII