Karl von Zinzendorf, Tagebuch einer kommerziellen Studienreise durch die Schweiz. Edizione commentata del testo originale francese del diario giugno-ottobre 1764 Kommentierte Ausgabe des französischen Originaltextes des Tagebuchs Juni-Oktober 1764

This edition is part of a wider project for a comprehensive transcription of the diary by Karl von Zinzendorf (1739?1813). Zinzendorf was counsellor at the Treasury (Commerzienrat) in Vienna (1762?66), Governor of Trieste (1776?82), and later Staatsminister. From 1764 to 1770 he travelled to different European countries: Switzerland, Italy, Malta, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Portugal, the British Isles, and Belgium. The complete diary, which covers the period from his Saxon childhood to his death as minister in Vienna, is renowned for the regularity of its entries as well as the acute observations and critical self?reflections of the author. Zinzendorf's stay in Switzerland between June and October 1764 corresponds to one of his study trip to analyse the European trade (kommerzielle Studienreisen). The diary holds rich insights into contemporary social and cultural practices such as reading, letter?writing, family relationships, theatre and music, card?playing, riding and walking, friendship keeping in mind the relations between the Swiss cantons and the Italian peninsula, especially Venice. The accompanying index contains entries that elucidate the names of people and geographical places. An introductory section surveys selected topics in the Swiss diary that have never been explored systematically until now.