After leaving Sr. Veitz, I continued my journey along the road called Friefach 7, where there had once been a gold mine. From there, I passed through several towns and regions, including New-Marck, Hmdtsmark, Peltfolz, Knittelfeld, Huihm, Prug, Keimberg, Mehr zu Schlag, Schadtxvien, Nevokirckel, New-Jiadt, Solinaw, Vrafkirchel, and Nervdorjf, until I finally reached Vienna. This long road marked my return from Venice to Vienna The Time and Season of My Journey.
A Quiet and Peaceful Journey
This journey, which covered about three hundred and fifty Italian miles, was the quietest journey I ever made. I did not have the company of friends or fellow travelers, so I traveled alone and rode only one horse. Even though the road passed through lands where many nations lived and at least four different languages were spoken, I experienced no trouble from anyone along the way.
No one stopped me to ask where I came from or where I was going. I was not troubled with questions about health papers or travel permits, which were often required in other places. Everywhere I stayed, I found good lodging in inns at a reasonable price. The inns were simple but comfortable enough for a traveler City Tour Sofia.
The People Along the Road
The people who lived in these regions were mostly plain and hardworking. They were strong and used to a simple way of life. Many of them made good soldiers because they were obedient to commands, brave, and patient in difficult conditions. They were not rebellious or quick to complain, but rather steady and reliable. Because of these qualities, they were of great use and service to the Emperor.
Observations About Nations and Languages
During this journey, I noticed how diverse the lands were. Several nations lived along this road, and different languages could be heard in each region. Despite these differences, there was little conflict or disturbance. This peaceful atmosphere made travel much easier and safer than in many other parts of Europe at that time.
In my earlier travels through Germany, I often met Jews in towns and villages. However, on this particular journey, I met very few, or at least none that I could clearly recognize. Although there were once whole villages of Jewish people in Austria, they had been forbidden to live in Styria and were severely banished from Carinthia. Because of these laws, Jewish travelers moving between Venice and Vienna were treated differently. The Emperor allowed some flexibility in their dress, while the Venetians required them to wear a red hat as a sign of identity.
On Writing About Vienna
To describe Vienna in detail might seem unnecessary, since many writers have already written about the city. It would be more suitable to speak of it fully when describing a larger journey, such as traveling from the Low Countries to Vienna, and then from Vienna through Moravia, Bohemia, Misnia, and Saxony to Hamburg.
For now, I will not delay any longer. Instead, I intend to give an account of places that are less known or less described. These include regions in the Pannonian, Dacian, Macedonian, Grecian, Norican, and Illyrian countries. In this work, these lands will be presented in their proper order so that readers may better understand them and their importance in the wider world.
