Travels in Various Countries of Europe, Asia and Africa. 3. Ed Volume 2-3 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1816 Excerpt: ... either language; that is to say, the "Seven Towers" It is the old Greek citadel, or Acropolis; but the towers are said to have been built by the Venetians. Towards the west, opposite to a small monastery of Dervishes, is a tower called Namasia-KouU: it has been thus denominated in consequence of the (4) See Felix Beaujour Comm. de la Grece, torn. I. p. 28. (5) Ibid. p. 29. (6) Voyage de Turquie, liv.i. torn. I. p. JO. Amst IJ44. the colossal Torso of a female statue, said to be that of the sister of Alexander the Great, daughter of Philip Amy rat as, and wife of Cassander, from whom the city received its name. The remarkable tradition certainly entitles this Torso to some consideration. At the feet of the figure is represented the stern of a ship. The day after our arrival, we visited the other principal antiquities of the place; but there may be many concealed, which we did not see. Beai/jour mentions several fine structures of the Lower Empire; and he says, that Thessalonica ranks next to Athens, in the number of works left by the antients1. Our first visit was paid to that celebrated piece of architecture, which is represented, by a series of beautiful and very accurate engravings, in the splendid work of Athenian Stuart. This building is called, by the Spanish Jews who reside here, thelNCANTADAs; meaning thereby," enchanted figures." Being situate in the Jews quarter, it marked at this time the very focus of the plague contagion. In consequence, however, of the alarm the disorder had occasioned, this part of the town was almost deserted; and we had leisure to examine the building, safe and unmolested. We found a magnificent Corinthian colonnade, consisting of five pillars supporting an entablature, and having four void spaces betwee...