Johan Padan comes from an Alpine valley in central northern Italy, very poor lands. Johan is self-centred rascal, a thief, a liar, tender, affectionate, sly, smart and willing to do anything in order to survive. The first part of the story takes place in Venice and seville. In the early 1500s these two cosmopolitan cities were vital for commerce. Venice was the Old World's most important centre for trade and cultural exchange, the meeting place between Europe and Orient. Seville was the port where the interest in the discovery of the New World were converging. In Venice the protagonist falls in love with a girl accused of witchcraft. He escapes arrest when the guards throw the girl in prison. Johan flees Venice and reaches Seville.