Benjamin of Tudela

This is a book of travels composed by Rabbi Benjamin, son of Jonah, from the land of Navarre, may he rest in Paradise. This Rabbi Benjamin had left his native town Tudela and traveled through many far countries, as is related in this book. In each place that he visited he wrote down things he had seen or learned from trustworthy people, things unknown in the land of Spain. He also mentioned the names of scholars and notables renowned in those places. He brought this book back with him on his return to Castile in the year 4933 of the Creation [1173 C.E]. - from Medieval Preface