Komstadius, N.N.: Notes of a Tourist

Title

Zametki turista, Sankt-Peterburg 1893

Notes of a Tourist

Keywords

Summary

The book is divided into two main parts, and it is accompanied by a map of the author’s journey. In the introduction, Komstadius raises questions about the purpose of a tourist’s journal or travel notes, asserting that his book aims to offer practical information, rather than literary content. Part One consists of seventeen chapters providing information about the author’s travels through North Africa and Egypt, while Part Two features twelve chapters focusing on Palestine. After recalling his first stops (Trieste, Venice, Rome, Naples), Komstadius describes his arrival in Alexandria and provides historical insights about Cairo. He then focuses on the British occupation, analysing its causes and reflecting on its outcomes, before providing an account of his exploration of Cairo, amongst belly dancers, theatres and mosques. The author continues his journey with a cruise up the Nile, depicting the landscape and villages along the way, as well as Luxor, Thebes, Hermonthis, Aswan. Back in Cairo, he visits the university, the local bazaars and some museums. After a trip to Memphis, Komstadius travels to Ismailia and onward, continuing his journey in Palestine. Arab traditions, historical insights, as well as information on the culture of Ancient Egypt are also provided throughout the book.

Bio

Nikolai Komstadius was a Russian general and commander of the Tsar’s Lifeguard Cuirassier Regiment. Born in Tsarskoe Selo, he graduated from the Aleksander Lyceum in 1886, and from the Konstantinovskii Military School in 1887. There, he was commissioned as a cornet in His Majesty’s Lifeguards Hussar Regiment. He furthered his education at the Aleksander Military Law Academy. Throughout his military career, Komstadius commanded various units, including a squadron of the Hussar Regiment, the 44^th Nizhnii Novgorod Regiment (1904-1905), and the Tsar’s Lifeguard Cuirassier Regiment (1905-1908). He was appointed to the Guards Cavalry and became the chief of the guards for Nicholas II. In addition to his military career, Komstadius was also a book lover, boasting a collection of 5000 books. He had a particular interest in Eastern Christian relics. He extensively travelled throughout the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East, documenting his experience in the book Notes of a Tourist.

Sources

V. Fedorchenko, “Nikolai Nikolaevich Komstadius”, in Svita Rossiiskikh imperatorov, I, Moskva 2005, p. 423-434;

A. Krylov-Tolstikovich, “Nikolai Nikolaevich Komstadius”, in Pridvornyi Kalendar’ na 1915 god. Kommentarii, Moskva 2015, p. 332-333.

M.E.