.png)
Kitab-ı Bahriye
Piri Reis's Book
"Kitab-ı Bahriye" is a maritime book written by Piri Reis, the famous sailor and cartographer of the Ottoman Empire. Piri Reis completed this work at the beginning of the 16th century and produced a masterpiece in which he compiled the maritime information of the Ottoman navy and drew maps.
Formation and Purpose of the Book:
"Kitab-ı Bahriye" is a book containing comprehensive information about maritime. Piri Reis wrote this work in order to increase the naval power of the Ottoman Empire and raise the awareness of sailors. The main goal of the book is to provide sailors with the necessary information to determine their routes, recognize ports, and understand currents and winds.
Content and Structure:
"Kitab-ı Bahriye," consists of three main parts. The first section contains general information about navigation and covers topics such as nautical terminology, sky observations and the use of a compass. The second part contains detailed descriptions of ports, islands and coasts in the Mediterranean, Black and Aegean Seas. The third part contains the sea charts drawn by Piri Reis.
This image has nothing to do with reality. Prepared for this site. The actual image has not been added due to copyrights.
Importance of Maps:
"Kitab-ı Bahriye" also attracts attention with the maps it contains. Piri Reis aims to facilitate sailors' navigation with the detailed maps he draws on the pages of his book. These maps contain information such as ports, islands, coastlines, shallow waters and currents, in accordance with the maritime needs of the period. It also helps sailors determine their location with geographic locations and longitude information.
Sources and Influences:
Piri Reis benefited from different sources for "Kitab-ı Bahriye". The works of Arab sailors, Spanish maps, the works of previous Ottoman cartographers and their own maritime experiences are the main sources that shape the content of the book. Piri Reis's work created a great impact in his time, became an important reference source among sailors and contributed to the maritime tradition of the Ottoman Empire.
Legacy and Importance:
Piri Reis's "Kitab-ı Bahriye" not only contributed to the development of Ottoman maritime, but also holds an important place in the history of geographical discoveries and cartography. Even today, the book is examined and evaluated by historians, maritime experts and cartographers. This work of Piri Reis made a significant contribution to the maritime history and cultural heritage of the Ottoman Empire.
Please also see the other contents we have prepared to get objective and detailed information about Piri Reis.