[3] Abbas chose a Qizilbash noble, Hossein Ali Beg, and, according to historian David Blow, he seems to have made him the official leader of the mission.

The diplomats were hosted by the landgrave for ten days; Maurice showcased the chambers of his palace, provided a private tour of the alabaster room, the cabinet of valuable stones adorned with coral walls, the armory, the stables, and exhibited the city’s new cannons.

[14] Huseyn Ali bey attempted to confer with Elector Christian II of Saxony in Leipzig; however, the duke disregarded the meeting, prompting the ambassadors to depart for Prague.

In Prague, they lodged at "Mad Man" (Czech: U Divého muže) hotel, owned by the Přehořovský family, situated on modern Karmelitská street.

Subsequently, Huseyn Ali bey visited Prague Castle multiple times upon special invitation, with the emperor's attendants arranging a customary tour for esteemed guests.

The embassy representatives toured the armory, the museum of curiosities including diverse animals and natural artifacts, the imperial wardrobe, the stables, and the lions' den.

The Habsburg court attempted to convey to him that when the emperor desired peace, he could not promptly dispatch a courier to the shah - due to the potential for a letter to take months to arrive in Iran.

Continuing the route, Hossein Ali finally reached Mantua and was hosted by Vincenzo I Gonzaga where they were joined by Safavid spy Michel Angelo Corai.

The embassy, having awaited official authorization from the Doge for three days in Verona, got unforeseen information: Venice was presently accommodating an Ottoman envoy, rendering the Safavid ambassadors unwelcome.

Oruj bey’s account indicate that the embassy resided in Pisa for 10 days, although official Tuscan documents reveal that their visit lasted slightly over a week.

Given that the head of the mission - Hossein Ali bey was a Muslim, the College of Cardinals deemed it suitable for the embassy to be received by secular nobility instead of clergy.

[1] The embassy traversed the Via Flaminia and approached Rome near the vineyards owned by the Count of Riano, situated a short distance from Porta del Popolo.

Papal master of ceremonies, Paolo Mucante’s writings describe a scene where the streets were bustling with individuals of all ages, eager to observe the oddly attired visitors from abroad.

[29] However, Pedro de Mendoza, the Spanish envoy to Genoa, reported that Hossein Ali bey was met with a lack of warmth by the Genoan signoria, leading to the ambassador's displeasure and early departure.

Although Hossein Ali bey informed Mendoza of his intention to travel to Antibes or Fréjus by sea, followed by a land journey to Avignon, it appears that he later reconsidered this plan.

Verzellino wrote in his chronicle that on 27 June 1601, Hossein Ali bey had dinner at an inn called “Del Capello sulla calada” and ate it sitting on the carpet.

[30] Hossein Ali bey's entourage followed Via Julia Augusta from Savona, touring French Riviera and turned north from Arles and went to Avignon through Via Alta road.

According to the chronicle, Hossein Ali bey rode a horse sent by the viceroy, wearing a crimson velvet coat lined with matras and carrying a scepter about a palm and a half long.

[33] The Vatican’s nuncio to Spain, Domenico Ginnasi, documented in his report that the king removed his cap as a gesture of respect upon receiving Shah Abbas’ letter.

Upon inquiring about his opinion of the party, Hossein Ali stated that it was enjoyable; however, he expressed discontent regarding Margaret of Austria's dancing, considering her condition as she was expecting the first heir to the throne.

Additionally, they advised giving the ambassador a portrait of Philip III, a gold chain, a sword with a golden scabbard or a precious stone, and to secure a good ship in Lisbon.

Luiz Cabrera de Córdoba mentions that when Huseyn Ali bey was in Madrid, he visited 72-year-old Maria of Austria, the widow of Emperor Maximilian II.

[38] The embassy, en route to Portugal, reached the city of Badajoz, where they were received by the corregidor Don Juan de Avalos, who hosted an official banquet in their honor.

De Moura also grew weary when he saw that Hossein Ali was spending money to buy a large quantity of lances, swords, and arquebuses to bring back to Iran.

During the meeting, Don Juan informed Hossein Ali bey of his preference to return to the country by land instead of by sea, which likely raised concerns in the ambassador.

Don Juan justified his decision by expressing his aversion to lengthy travels, noting that he could make his way back to Iran from Venice within a span of 3-4 months while posing as a Turkish merchant.

Don Juan later recounts in his memoirs that prior to his departure, Hossein Ali attempted to purchase a Turkish prisoner from the ships of De Bazán and sought to orchestrate an assassination.

[36] Girolamo da Sommaia (1573-1635), a Florentine researcher who resided in Spain during that period and pursued his studies at the University of Salamanca, documented that Hossein Ali bey performed a song during this ceremony.

Francesco de Benedictis, who conducted an analysis of both songs, posits that the lyricist was, in fact, Oruj bey Bayat, an individual proficient in the Castilian language.

Luiz Gil Fernandez, however, claimed that it was overly simplistic to assume that Oruj bey could compose a sonnet or a rhyming poem in the Castilian language within a brief timeframe.