The Genoese Fondaco in Alexandria: Practices of Trans-Mediterranean Exchanges in the Later Middle Ages
In the thirteenth century, the Genoese staying in Alexandria were housed by Mamluk authorities in afondaco; a system developed to lodge foreign merchants and store their goods. Establishing circumscribed areas reserved to Latin traders and pilgrims was a convenient practice for the Mamluk sultanate as it helped to better monitor foreigners’ activities, inspect goods imported and exported and tax them accordingly. The fondaco system was beneficial to the Genoese too as it provided them with facilities and services to carry out their business and assist them during their stay in Alexandria. This paper examines how the fondaco system facilitated Mamluk-Genoese relationships.
All welcome- this seminar is free to attend, but booking in advance is required.
This page was last updated on 30 June 2024