May 17

Born in 1511, Philipp von Hutten joined the Welser-sponsored expedition to Venezuela, aiming to establish German colonial interests. After journeying through the coastal plains, he ventured deep into the Orinoco basin in search of the legendary El Dorado. Facing challenging terrain and resistance from indigenous groups, he pressed inland over several years. In 1546, he returned to Coro only to find the settlement in rebellion against the Welser administration. During a dispute, von Hutten was killed, marking a dramatic end to his quest.

René Caillié was a French explorer born in Mauzé-sur-le-Mignon in 1799. Disguised as a Muslim pilgrim, he secretly traveled to the legendary city of Timbuktu in 1827. His journey was perilous, crossing the Sahara Desert and facing hostile tribes with limited resources. After his return, Caillié published one of the earliest European travel accounts of West Africa, 'Voyage à Timbuktu', in 1830. His accurate observations challenged prevailing myths about the interior of Africa. Caillié’s accomplishments earned him the Gold Medal of the Société de Géographie in 1830. He died in France in 1838, leaving a legacy of exploration and scholarship.