Photo Gallery

This map shows the historic spice trade routes that linked Asia, Africa and Europe for centuries. The red lines mark both the maritime routes across the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic, and the overland caravan routes (often linked to the Incense Road and the Silk Road). They illustrate how precious commodities such as spices, resins (e.g. myrrh and frankincense) and essential oils were transported from their places of production in the Middle East, India and the islands of South-East Asia to Europe.