Medina and Mecca among the Orientalists (16th - 19th century)

The cities of Mecca and Medina attracted the attention of orientalists as early as the 16th century, but primarily because they were the scene of the birth of Islam and less as eastern urban entities, like Istanbul or Cairo for example. Nevertheless, as these two cities were off-limits to them, it was less through visiting and more through the collation of Arab and Persian sources that scholars came to know them, depending on the orientation of these primary sources. When some travellers were able to visit them, their interest remained focused on the sanctuaries. The history and topography of the sanctuaries were undoubtedly detailed, but the urban organization and social history of the less investigated localities.