Il diario di viaggio di Johann Smidt (1773-1857)
Author(s)
Pasqua, Gaetano
Date Issued
February 5, 2010
Type
Doctoral Thesis
Abstract
Personal motives, such as the death of his father and his subsequent entry into the world of men, helped push Johann Smidt (Bremen,1773-1857) into his travels to Italy.
Four friends, students at Jena and members of the Gesellschaft der freien Maenner, Smidt, Raison, Köppen and Böhlendorff, follow the "philosophical" path of Rousseau and cross Switzerland by foot until reaching the gates of an enthusiastic Milan, at the time under
French occupation. It was August 3rd 1797 and the four young men would stay for four long days.
They admire the city's Duomo, the most beautiful Gothic construction I have ever seen in my life, the palazzi, the wide boulevards, italian women and the coffee and fashion. Of coarse
every evening they are at the theatre.
At Milan he sees from a distance for the first time the great general Napoléon Bonaparte. The two will meet again in Paris but under
different guises; Smidt will be representing his Hansestadt Bremen.
The Milanese streets, full of soldiers and preachers on every corner, make the 24-year-old Smidt anxious. The future Mayor and Senator
of Bremen feels persecuted, as if someone is trying to rob his luggage at every moment and every occasion is a good one to cheat him. He notes: italians really get on my nerves.
He often finds himself measuring the italian population up against his own national mindset, passing judgement with overindulgent
criticisms and prejudicial condemnation, all thanks to his superficiality and his eagerness to escape constant contact.
A bad temper and nostalgia accompany him all the way back to the Italian part of Switzerland, however he will feel more complete as a
man and ready to confront "adult" life. On his return he will become a pastor, philosophy professor and husband.
Following the Congress of Vienna he founds the city of Bremerhaven (1827) with his political career lasting over half a century.
In addition to the travels of the members of the Gesellschaft, a part of this doctorate is dedicated to German travellers of the 1700's and
1800's, in order to offer readers further research material.
Additional information
Dottorato di ricerca in Storia e cultura del viaggio e dell'opeporica in età moderna
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