As phenomenon, the travel guide is closely connected with the emergence of modern tourism in Europe from the mid-nineteenth century onwards, when an extensive railway network came into being. Tourists were looking for pleasure and relaxation. But they also wanted to widen their cultural horizon and improve their physical health. This exhibition shows how the travel guide, as a steady companion, detailed for the tourist what was worth a visit: which cities, which buildings, which resorts, which mountain areas, which panoramas and so on. As such the travel guide defined ‘the tourist gaze’, thus playing a major role in establishing what nowadays we consider natural and cultural heritage in Europe. Travel guides did not only confirm stereotypical images regarding ‘fellow’ Europeans, but they also stimulated mutual interactions and meetings among Europeans. Travel guides were thus part of the shared and divided history of Europe.

The exhibition runs until 25 February 2019.

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