THE IDEALIZED SOUTH: THE CONSTRUCTION OF NAPLES´ MENTAL IMAGE IN THE TRAVEL WRITINGS OD AUGUST EMIL LINDBLOM AND OLOF STARNER

<jats:p>The travel literature of Swedish authors from the 19th and 20th centuries is characterized by a pronounced idealization of the Neapolitan region as a destination of warm climate and rich cultural heritage. Although other Mediterranean regions offered similar climatic conditions, Naples occupies a distinctive position in Swedish travelogues as a space where traces of ancient history intersect with the mythical dimensions of nature. Such representation in the works of authors like August Emil Lindblom and Olof Sterner results in a stereotypical and romanticized depiction of the region. An analysis of their accounts reveals a predominance of positive stereotypes regarding a “beautiful land of authentic people,” with a focus on aesthetic and cultural aspects, while critical reflection on the more complex and tragic facets of local life and character remains largely absent. This phenomenon raises important questions regarding the nature of the travel-writing genre and the role of cultural prejudices in shaping mental images of the Other, particularly in the context of the Swedish perception of the Mediterranean.</jats:p>