This article touches upon the subject of pilgrimage of Russian noblemen brothers Ivan and Vassily Veshniakov accompanied by merchant Mikhail Novikov and Russian peasant Kir Bronnikov to the Holy Land in the first quarter of the 19 <sup>th</sup> century. Pilgrimage to the Holy Land or Middle East was an important part of diplomatic relations between the Russian Empire and the Sublime Porte at the beginning of the 19 <sup>th</sup> century. In their itinerary notes the Veshniakov brothers and Kir Bronnikov presented detailed descriptions of their travels. They described holy places and cities on their route to the Holy City of Jerusalem, their accommodation in Constantinople, Jaffa and Jerusalem, their reception in Greek monasteries, the culture and traditions of Middle Eastern population and Ottoman reality in general.