Österreich und das Heilige Land

These 207 records presented for the first time in their original language (primarily German, but also French and Italian) in the “Österreich und das Heilige Land” edition, represent a selection of documents from the abundant archive stocks of the Jerusalem Consulate of the Austrian Empire and subsequently of the Dual Monarchy (1849-1917) – supplemented by files from the Vice Consulate in Jaffa, the Embassy in Constantinople, the Administrative Registry and the political archive of the Dual Monarchy’s foreign ministry. They constitute a major source for the history of Palestine and its population, as well as a comprehensive documentation of Austrian policies in the Holy Land, with the reports and communications from the consuls frequently containing remarkable analyses of the political, social, religious, transport policy and economic situation of Palestine. For almost 70 years, the Consulate of the Austrian empire and subsequently of the Dual Monarchy applied its efforts to safeguarding the interests of the Habsburg Monarchy in the Holy Land and to strengthening the position of the Monarchy amongst the other European powers. The protective function of the Austrian Consuls for the persons of Jewish faith who had moved to Palestine from various parts of the Dual Monarchy, and even from Russia, and for the communities and institutions that these developed is documented in detail. At the same time, the Monarchy’s interests as a major power in its association with Austria’s position as a Catholic protecting power (in particular in competition with France) are clearly expressed. The Imperial/Imperial and Royal Consuls finally also promoted economic development and were active in achieving the improvement of individual services such as shipping, postal services and banking.