Jérome Maurand was a French clergyman, born in Antibes. As a priest, he accompanied French admiral Polin when the French fleet escorted the Ottoman fleet under Hayreddin Barbarossa from Marseilles (23 May 1544) to Istanbul, within the Ottoman-French alliance. Five French galleys, among which “Reale” escorted Barbarossa's fleet during this diplomatic mission. The French fleet accompanied the Ottoman ships while the latter attacked several cities on the western coast of Italy, on their way to the Ottoman capital. The two fleets parted ways in Sicily and the French mission sailed on on its own. Maurand reached Istanbul on 10th August and remained there until the 9th of September, when the fleet sailed back to Toulon, which they reached on 2nd October 1544.

The chronicle of this journey was composed in Italian, and was enriched by highly interesting drawings of ports and fortress. It was translated into French in the early 20th century. Although he stayed in the city for only a short time, Maurand describes the bazaar and some monuments. The occurences in Zakynthos and Methoni are also very interesting. In addition, Maurand is one of the first travellers to visit Delos and describe ancient remains and inscriptions found on the island.

Written by Ioli Vingopoulou

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  Portrait of the Ottoman admiral Hayreddin Barbarossa (ca. 1475-1546).

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  View of Savona in Italy.

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  Fig. 1. View of the islands of Santo Stefano και Ventotene, in Italy. Fig. 2. View of Ischia island, near Naples, Italy.

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  View of Castel dell'Ovo in Naples, Italy.

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  Fig. 1. View of Reggio di Calabria, in Italy. Fig. 2. View of Scilla, city in Calabria, Italy. Fig. 3. Tower in Calabria, Italy.

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  Fig. I. View of Pera (Beyoğlu) in Istanbul. Fig. 2. The fortress of Kelibia in the Kelibia promontory in Tunisia.

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  Fig. 1. (?) Fig. 2. View of Bosa in Sardinia.

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  View of Procida, island outside Naples, Italy.

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  Fig. 1. View of Policastro Bussentino in Italy. Fig. 2. View of Lipari, island in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

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  Fig. 1. View of Alghero in Sardinia. Fig. 2. View of Porto Conte in Sardinia.

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  The Hippodrome of Constantinople: The Serpent column, and the obelisks of Theodosius I and Constantine VII.

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  Fig. 1. View of Gelibolu. Fig. 2. View of Istanbul.

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  Fig. 1. View of Mount Ida in the Troad. Fig. 2. View of the Dardanelles.

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  Fig. 1. View of fortress on cape of island. The author does not gives us hints, however, judging by his route, this should be one of the islands between Milos and Paros. Fig 2. View of the city of Chios.

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  Title page.

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  Title page.

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  View of Pozzuoli in Naples, Italy.

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  Fig. 1. Vulcano island. Fig. 2. Stromboli island.

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  Fig. 1. View of Tenedos (Bozcaada). Fig. 2. View of the Dardanelles.