Między dyplomacją a fascynacją. Dziewiętnastowieczne Maroko we wspomnieniach z podróży Ferdinanda von Augustina (1807–1861)

Abstract

The article is devoted to the trip to Morocco made by Ferdinand von Augustin, Austrian soldier, traveller and writer in 1830, during the reign of Sultan Abd ar-Rahman. The article is divided into three parts. In the first one I discuss life and work of the author; in the second one – the historical context of the Austrian expedition to Morocco; in the third one – the travelogue. F. von Augustin was a member of the imperial delegation headed by Wilhelm von Pflügl travelling to Meknes, which was the capital of Moroccan Sultan at that time. The travel, which lasted from 26 September to 17 November 1830, was described in a book titled Erinnerungen aus Marokko, gesammelt auf einer Reise im Jahre 1830 (Wien, 1845). The author describes Moroccan towns and cities (Tangier, Al-Qasr, Meknes), historical sites (Volubilis), North-African nature and people, their manners and customs, and gives some information about Islam, Moroccan history and its army. As von Augustin was skilful at drawing and painting, his book includes also some pictures from this Arabic country.