DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0552
CllAE". XXIX.]
INCRUSTATIONS.
519
and form than those of Laodicea,—it may indeed he called
a town of ruined palaces and temples. The effect is con-
siderably heightened by the singular beauty of its position;
the broad terrace on which it stands, extending from S.E.
to N.W., is bounded on the N.E. by a range of lofty moun-
tains, while to the W. and S. the eye wanders undisturbed
over a vast extent of productive plains, and rich pastures,
to the range of Cadmus to the S.S.W.
These ruins have been visited and partly described by
former travellers, particularly by Smith, Pococke, Chandler,
and Cockerell, the latter of whom has given a plan of the
foundations of the gymnasium, now in part silted up by
the calcareous deposit; the springs being no longer kept
within proper bounds and channels by the care of a re-
ligious population, have for many centuries flowed unre-
strained, and spread their waters over the terrace and ruins,
thus reducing them to a perfect level. The hot spring
rises in a deep pool above the gymnasium; at the bottom
of it I could perceive traces of a colonnade of beautiful
fluted columns, as perfect as when first thrown down. They
probably once surrounded the sacred fountain, and now look
like the ruins of a naiad's palace. Large fragments of archi-
traves and friezes, some slightly incrusted, lie there also;
while in other places huge mushrooms of calc-sinter rise up
in the middle of the pool, no doubt concealing other valu-
able relics. For some distance round the opening the ground
sounded hollow, being apparently only a crust formed over
the water, the heat of which appeared to be about 100°
Fahr., but I had no thermometer with me: it was not too
hot, however, to prevent some Turks from bathing in it.
In a hollow of the hills to the N. are the ruins of one of
the most perfect ancient theatres to be seen in Asia Minor,
from whence the view is very extensive. It faces the S.W.,
and overlooks the ruins of the gymnasium situated on the
cdo-e of the terrace. This extends above a mile from S.E.
to N.W., having a projecting mass at each end formed by
the sediment of the calcareous water. It is covered with
ruins, as well as the lower slope of the hills; in one place
INCRUSTATIONS.
519
and form than those of Laodicea,—it may indeed he called
a town of ruined palaces and temples. The effect is con-
siderably heightened by the singular beauty of its position;
the broad terrace on which it stands, extending from S.E.
to N.W., is bounded on the N.E. by a range of lofty moun-
tains, while to the W. and S. the eye wanders undisturbed
over a vast extent of productive plains, and rich pastures,
to the range of Cadmus to the S.S.W.
These ruins have been visited and partly described by
former travellers, particularly by Smith, Pococke, Chandler,
and Cockerell, the latter of whom has given a plan of the
foundations of the gymnasium, now in part silted up by
the calcareous deposit; the springs being no longer kept
within proper bounds and channels by the care of a re-
ligious population, have for many centuries flowed unre-
strained, and spread their waters over the terrace and ruins,
thus reducing them to a perfect level. The hot spring
rises in a deep pool above the gymnasium; at the bottom
of it I could perceive traces of a colonnade of beautiful
fluted columns, as perfect as when first thrown down. They
probably once surrounded the sacred fountain, and now look
like the ruins of a naiad's palace. Large fragments of archi-
traves and friezes, some slightly incrusted, lie there also;
while in other places huge mushrooms of calc-sinter rise up
in the middle of the pool, no doubt concealing other valu-
able relics. For some distance round the opening the ground
sounded hollow, being apparently only a crust formed over
the water, the heat of which appeared to be about 100°
Fahr., but I had no thermometer with me: it was not too
hot, however, to prevent some Turks from bathing in it.
In a hollow of the hills to the N. are the ruins of one of
the most perfect ancient theatres to be seen in Asia Minor,
from whence the view is very extensive. It faces the S.W.,
and overlooks the ruins of the gymnasium situated on the
cdo-e of the terrace. This extends above a mile from S.E.
to N.W., having a projecting mass at each end formed by
the sediment of the calcareous water. It is covered with
ruins, as well as the lower slope of the hills; in one place