The letters of Christofforo Suriano (1616–1623)

The first Venetian envoy to the Dutch Republic

This digital edition contains all the letters written by Christofforo Suriano, the first Venetian envoy to the Dutch Republic. Between 1616 and 1623, he wrote hundreds of letters to the Venetian Senate. The complete correspondence (more than 7,000 pages) is available online and searchable.

Image: coat of arms of Christofforo Suriano as preserved in the album amicorum of Isaac Massa (78 H 56) in the Royal Library in The Hague.

The letters provide unique insight into the international politics of the early seventeenth century. Suriano reported on conversations with prominent politicians and diplomats, documenting the establishment of official diplomatic relations between the Netherlands and Italy in the run-up to the Thirty Years’ War.

What does the edition offer?

• Digital images of the original letters
• Fully searchable transcriptions
• Annotations and English summaries
• Freely accessible for research and education purposes.

Team

Edited by Dr. Nina Lamal. With the collaboration of Romée van Dommele, Dorian Hagendoorn, Leo van Snippenburg. Project leader Dr. Helmer Helmers. Transcriptions by Dr. Alexa Bianchini, Dr. Ruben Celani, Dr. Flavia Di Giampaolo, Dr. Federica D’Uonno, Dr. Vera Frantellizzi, Dr. Cristina Lezzi, Dr. Giorgia Proietti, Dr. Angelo Restaino and Dr. Filippo Sedda.

View the digital edition of Christofforo Suriano’s letters here.