Pilgrimage to the Holy Land – Peter Villiger – Konstanz, 1603 – First Edition

Bilgerfahrt und Beschreibung der Hierusolomitanischen Reiß in das heylig Land, unnd deren Provintzen Palestina, wie es zu jetziger Zeit beschaffen, by Peter Villiger (Petrus Büllinger, 1530-1584). Konstanz: Nicolao Kalt, 1603. German. First edition.

Account of a pilgrimage from Switzerland to the Holy Land, undertaken by the Swiss Protestant pastor Peter Villiger in the years 1565-1568. The work describes the route of travel, the holy places and antiquities of the land, the customs of its inhabitants, and includes detailed instructions for the Christian pilgrim on how to prepare, conduct, and complete the journey.

Alongside its historical and geographical information, Villiger recounts dramatic episodes experienced on his way: the sinking of the pilgrims' ship, captivity at the hands of Muslim pirates, sale into slavery, torture and humiliation, the execution of many of his companions, and finally his release upon payment of ransom.

Among the earliest accounts of a Protestant pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the 16th century.

[10] leaves, 42, 47-183 pages. Pages 43-46 lacking, supplied in manuscript. Approx. 17 cm. Fair condition. Stains, creases and wear. Tears and loss. Small marginal tears to title page, slightly affecting text and border; large tears to final leaf (backed with guard leaf for reinforcement). Leaves trimmed close to text, with damage to some headings and borders. Ownership inscriptions. Inscriptions. Bookplates, including the bookplate of the German-Jewish poet and scholar Friedrich Gundolf (1880-1931). Contemporary binding. Binding made using a recycled leaf from a Latin liturgical manuscript on vellum (ca. 15th/16th century). Minor defects and wear to binding; worming to both covers, with cloth ties for closure.

Rare. Not listed in the NLI catalogue.