DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4719#0387
360
LTCIA.
the tombs is of the finest age for ease, simplicity, and beauty
of proportion.
On the plains of Myra are scattered many ruins, but at
great distances from each other ; and wherever the fine stand-
ing corn does not surround them a swamp is the cause of
the want of cultivation, and either of these prevents our
close examination. One pile nearer to the sea is known,
from inscriptions found, to have been a granary built in the
time of Adrian. Another clump at a short distance from
us is of the middle ages, and until lately boasted the posses-
sion of the bones of St. Nicholas; but these have been trans-
ported to Russia, and a Greek priest alone remains within
the holy walls, which were formerly the object of pilgrimages
to the tomb of this favourite saint of the Greek church, whose
birth-place is still holy ground at Patara. This saint appears
to be more venerated here than St. Paul, who visited Myra
on his voyage to Home*.
The old priest tells us that he alone is left upon the plain
after the middle of May, as every hut in this village and on
the plain is then deserted for the mountains, on account of
the heat and the appearance of an overwhelming number of
mosquitos or gnats. A large black fly also appears at that
season, which stings the cattle ; at its approach they are
described running as if mad into the mountains.
The peasants here are very attentive in keeping back
their fierce dogs, and rendering any assistance in their power,
but they are not antiquarians : they know no distinction be-
tween tombs, towers, and theatres, and cannot recognize in
the statues the likeness of man. In reply to our inquiries
after coins, the people told us that they had collected none,
adding that these were the money of Grhiaours, which they
would not touch; they went however to inquire if the chil-
dren had, in ignorance, picked up any, but I regret that the
* Acts xxvii. 5.
• s
- :i the
is up a nai
J (if till
tinfligei \
^unless periu
■Hiti demit
In leaving \I-.:-
■
kk littL
tfonwehi
^h e
Aladdin,
* alibi
t* toe, and
ll»ea8thicka
^ fruit ai
l&* the chic]
"Hbotnc
Hal t;
S AtXi
,l*,andtwo(
LTCIA.
the tombs is of the finest age for ease, simplicity, and beauty
of proportion.
On the plains of Myra are scattered many ruins, but at
great distances from each other ; and wherever the fine stand-
ing corn does not surround them a swamp is the cause of
the want of cultivation, and either of these prevents our
close examination. One pile nearer to the sea is known,
from inscriptions found, to have been a granary built in the
time of Adrian. Another clump at a short distance from
us is of the middle ages, and until lately boasted the posses-
sion of the bones of St. Nicholas; but these have been trans-
ported to Russia, and a Greek priest alone remains within
the holy walls, which were formerly the object of pilgrimages
to the tomb of this favourite saint of the Greek church, whose
birth-place is still holy ground at Patara. This saint appears
to be more venerated here than St. Paul, who visited Myra
on his voyage to Home*.
The old priest tells us that he alone is left upon the plain
after the middle of May, as every hut in this village and on
the plain is then deserted for the mountains, on account of
the heat and the appearance of an overwhelming number of
mosquitos or gnats. A large black fly also appears at that
season, which stings the cattle ; at its approach they are
described running as if mad into the mountains.
The peasants here are very attentive in keeping back
their fierce dogs, and rendering any assistance in their power,
but they are not antiquarians : they know no distinction be-
tween tombs, towers, and theatres, and cannot recognize in
the statues the likeness of man. In reply to our inquiries
after coins, the people told us that they had collected none,
adding that these were the money of Grhiaours, which they
would not touch; they went however to inquire if the chil-
dren had, in ignorance, picked up any, but I regret that the
* Acts xxvii. 5.
• s
- :i the
is up a nai
J (if till
tinfligei \
^unless periu
■Hiti demit
In leaving \I-.:-
■
kk littL
tfonwehi
^h e
Aladdin,
* alibi
t* toe, and
ll»ea8thicka
^ fruit ai
l&* the chic]
"Hbotnc
Hal t;
S AtXi
,l*,andtwo(