DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4324#0116
SAMOS. 03
glen, in which are the remains of an aqueduct. This glen separates the citadel from the neigh-
bouring mountains, and at its north-eastern extremity is the church of St. John or Agiani, where
may be traced the entrance of that subterraneous canal, by which the water of a beautiful source
near the present church was conducted under the mountain to the city of Samoa. Near the
fountain is also the church of St. George, and the capital of a Doric column, the abacus of which
is two feet square. This canal is another of the great undertakings of the Samians recorded by
the historian On the southern side of the hill, and not far from the ancient theatre of Samos, is
a cavern with a small metochi, and this cavern is said to have some connection with the subterra-
neous aqueduct. If it communicates with it, it must probably be by a shaft, for the level seems
too high for the source at Agiani, though this circumstance has not been ascertained. There is a
subterraneous channel near the head of the great mole, at Port Tigani, which might be, with
more probability, taken for the spot to which the water from Agiani was conducted. The theatre
is excavated in the side of the hill, overlooking the sea, and some of the seats yet remain. The
diameter is about two hundred and forty-six feet. From the top of the hill the ancient mole, one
of the wonders of Samos, may be seen in the sea, though little of its superstructure remains. The
great depth of the water must have added much to the difficulty of constructing it.* It is much to
be doubted whether the mole was ever two stadia in length, but it is nevertheless a stupendous
work. The ruins of several edifices may yet be discovered near the sea, and among others
the remains of a Corinthian portico.
In the eastern wall is seen a little gate, nearly perfect, and of curious construction. There was
probably another gate near the sea. To the east of the old city lies a plain called Miso Campo, or
Meso Campo; and more distant is a promontory, called Psyliamou, or Hypsile, with a rocky
islet. On the right of this is the Cape Trogyllion, which is the point of Mount Mycale, on the
continent of Asia, and forms the entrance to the streights or boccas of Samos. Near the cape is
a port, where Saint Paul anchored, now the resort of privateers and corsairs, and called the Port of
the Panagia, or Holy Virgin. Above it, the natives say, is a monastery of Saint Paul. On the
cape, eastward of Psyliamou, called Koukoura, is a circular peribolus, of grey marble. It is now
almost buried by loose stones, but the masonry appears ancient. The diameter seems to have
been about eighty-seven feet. There is another ruin on the next cape, which is called Graea
Podia; and between the two is a bay, called Merjik, and by the Greeks Klima, probably on
account of a bad road, up steps, cut in the rock, leading into the interior. The first peribolus is
probably the site of the ancient Posidium of Samos.
Beyond Graea Podia is a port called Mollah Ibrahim, from which there is a road, or path, to
Palaio Kastro and Bathy, through a wild and beautiful pass in the mountains. The opposite
coast of Mycale is magnificent, and finely wooded. There is no appearance of any population;
nor indeed could the Panionium have been placed in any convenient spot on this side the moun-
tain, except at Changli, unless ruins should be found to exist near the port at Trogyllion. The
* Herod, loc cit.
glen, in which are the remains of an aqueduct. This glen separates the citadel from the neigh-
bouring mountains, and at its north-eastern extremity is the church of St. John or Agiani, where
may be traced the entrance of that subterraneous canal, by which the water of a beautiful source
near the present church was conducted under the mountain to the city of Samoa. Near the
fountain is also the church of St. George, and the capital of a Doric column, the abacus of which
is two feet square. This canal is another of the great undertakings of the Samians recorded by
the historian On the southern side of the hill, and not far from the ancient theatre of Samos, is
a cavern with a small metochi, and this cavern is said to have some connection with the subterra-
neous aqueduct. If it communicates with it, it must probably be by a shaft, for the level seems
too high for the source at Agiani, though this circumstance has not been ascertained. There is a
subterraneous channel near the head of the great mole, at Port Tigani, which might be, with
more probability, taken for the spot to which the water from Agiani was conducted. The theatre
is excavated in the side of the hill, overlooking the sea, and some of the seats yet remain. The
diameter is about two hundred and forty-six feet. From the top of the hill the ancient mole, one
of the wonders of Samos, may be seen in the sea, though little of its superstructure remains. The
great depth of the water must have added much to the difficulty of constructing it.* It is much to
be doubted whether the mole was ever two stadia in length, but it is nevertheless a stupendous
work. The ruins of several edifices may yet be discovered near the sea, and among others
the remains of a Corinthian portico.
In the eastern wall is seen a little gate, nearly perfect, and of curious construction. There was
probably another gate near the sea. To the east of the old city lies a plain called Miso Campo, or
Meso Campo; and more distant is a promontory, called Psyliamou, or Hypsile, with a rocky
islet. On the right of this is the Cape Trogyllion, which is the point of Mount Mycale, on the
continent of Asia, and forms the entrance to the streights or boccas of Samos. Near the cape is
a port, where Saint Paul anchored, now the resort of privateers and corsairs, and called the Port of
the Panagia, or Holy Virgin. Above it, the natives say, is a monastery of Saint Paul. On the
cape, eastward of Psyliamou, called Koukoura, is a circular peribolus, of grey marble. It is now
almost buried by loose stones, but the masonry appears ancient. The diameter seems to have
been about eighty-seven feet. There is another ruin on the next cape, which is called Graea
Podia; and between the two is a bay, called Merjik, and by the Greeks Klima, probably on
account of a bad road, up steps, cut in the rock, leading into the interior. The first peribolus is
probably the site of the ancient Posidium of Samos.
Beyond Graea Podia is a port called Mollah Ibrahim, from which there is a road, or path, to
Palaio Kastro and Bathy, through a wild and beautiful pass in the mountains. The opposite
coast of Mycale is magnificent, and finely wooded. There is no appearance of any population;
nor indeed could the Panionium have been placed in any convenient spot on this side the moun-
tain, except at Changli, unless ruins should be found to exist near the port at Trogyllion. The
* Herod, loc cit.