A trip from Aleppo to Jerusalem

In early 1697, Henry Moundrel and a group of fifteen companions decided to undertake a pilgrimage from Aleppo (where they worked in an English factory) to Jerusalem. On February 26, they set out towards Latakia on the Syrian coast, and they traveled along the coast of Lebanon from north to south until they reached Acre on the Palestinian coast. Together, they traveled by land to the Holy City of Jerusalem, visiting the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and Bethlehem. They returned to Jerusalem to make their way back through Damascus and Baalbek to Tripoli, until they arrived in Aleppo on May 18. The group spent most of these three months traveling, seeing many countries and cities of the East. The journey was familiar to those working in Aleppo, as such trips were common during this season. However, what distinguished it in 1697 was a travel journal written by Moundrel, filled with detailed notes about the places they visited. It is considered one of the earliest accurate accounts of ancient times in Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine written in English. The language of the book is lively, enjoyable, and full of events and observations, with personal narration, vivid interaction, and detailed descriptions, all with accuracy in storytelling and clarity about the circumstances of travel.