Greek Eyes on Europe: The Travels of Nikandros Noukios of Corfu

Andronikos Noukios wrote a travelogue in the 16th century, describing his journey from Venice to England. He visited northern Italian cities, Germany, the Low Countries, and England, and was fascinated by Henry VIII and the English. The book is an important source for the sixteenth century and a landmark in Modern Greek literature. It is accessible and enjoyable to read.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 194 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This is the first complete English translation of a lively travelogue written by Andronikos aka Nikandros Noukios, a Greek from Corfu, who accompanied a diplomatic mission from Venice to England in the middle of the sixteenth century. He describes some of the great northern Italian cities, gives vivid impressions of picturesque Germany, of sober but enthusiastic Lutheran church services, and of cities on the Rhine. In the Low Countries, he visits the commercial centers and in England gives a real sense of the excitement of London and its sights. He rather liked the English (even giving a recipe for beer), and is clearly fascinated by Henry VIII, his attacks on the monasteries, and his break with Rome. He then surprisingly joins up with a troop of Greek mercenaries, but finally leaves them and returns to Italy through France with glimpses of Fontainebleau and Francis I. We leave Andronikos after he has visited Rome on his way back to Venice.

The book is an almost unknown source for the sixteenth century and will certainly be of interest to historians and students. It is also an important and little-known landmark in the development of Modern Greek literature, especially relevant to the burgeoning modern interest in travel writing. It is accessible and a good read.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032191225