An ardent Ottoman traveller from the 17th century, Evliya Celebi, left a valuable account on the Hajj pilgrimage route and way stations between Damascus and Mecca. Born in Istanbul to a wealthy and influential family in 1611, Celebi left his personal itinerary describing his experience travelling through different villages and towns along the Hajj route at the expense of Sultan Mehmet IV. “Celebi wasn’t a commoner or a mere pilgrim ...