Karl Lysén

About me

Research areas

• Medieval history
• Cultural history and history of mentalities
• Church history and theology
• Interdisciplinary perspectives 
• Materiality and Spatiality

Current Research

My main interests involve the late medieval period, microhistory, Longue durée-perspectives, emotions, senses, and culture, but also includes theoretical approaches and developments, as well as interdisciplinary methodologies.    

My ongoing dissertation project focus on European pilgrim travel accounts from Jerusalem, examining how four European travellers experienced and described their encounters with the physical space, the Other, and the concept of time. By utilizing a micro-historical approach, this study compares four travel accounts spanning from 1350 to 1697, shedding new light on the personal experiences of Jerusalem and uncovering processes of change and continuation.

The analysis is focused on a few specific locations in Jerusalem that have been geographically fixed over time, providing a detailed context of how and why the travellers expressed their beliefs and perceptions.

This study aims to provide a deeper understanding of pilgrims to Jerusalem throughout history and the various ways in which they perceived and interacted with the sacred city.