The article examines an important historical event of the 19th century, the diplomatic visit of the Turkish Sultan Abdul-Aziz to Western Europe (1867). The authorities of the Ottoman Empire that embarked on the path of modernization showed interest in the European political models of statehood, the work of government bodies, public and cultural life. The Ottoman Empire also became interested in mutual visits of European monarchs. Earlier, the sultans and heirs of the throne could only take part in a military campaign at the head of their army. However, after the defeat at Vienna in 1687, they have never travelled further than Edirne (Adrianople), the location of the Sultan's palace. The times of magnificent and victorious campaigns were gone, and the saying that the Sultan can cross the Danube only at the head of the army was no longer relevant. Thus, the «military» diplomacy gave way to the «peaceful» diplomacy aimed at getting to know the European statehood.
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