DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5542#0239
N.VZIANZUS.
[Chap, xi.iii.
Amidst these ancient tombs were the ruins of a large
church in old Byzantine style, built in the form of a
Greek cross; the arches which spring from the four pilas-
ters were still entire, but the stones of which the walls are
built are very small, although fitting with great accuracy.
This church is evidently more recent than the other build-
ings; and as I am inclined to believe that they mark the
site of Nazianzus, it may be the church said to have been
built by Gregory, the father of Gregory Nazianzen, in the
beginning of the fourth century. Another small church
occurred higher up the valley to the south, where tombs
and portions of Cyclopian walls abound to the end: it ter-
minated abruptly in a rocky amphitheatre about a mile
from its commencement.
Returning down the valley on the opposite or eastern
side, I found the lower slopes of the hills, as well as the
bottom of the valley covered with similar walls and ruins,
which in some instances were partly buried under the
accumulated soil of ages. Here also were many circular-
roofed buildings, mostly below the level of the plain, with
an opening through the centre of the dome, sometimes
arranged three or four together, probably intended for
cisterns. Continuing to the north., we at length returned
to the hill which rises at the edge of the trachytic cliff
on the east of the pass of Demir Kapou. The assemblage
of high Cyclopian walls which here completely covered
the hill side, and in which numerous houses and narrow
streets might be distinctly traced for a considerable dis-
tance, was most extraordinary. I followed the direction
of one of these streets, which led me to a level space on
the summit of the hill, the probable site of a temple, or
forum, surrounded by similar walls of considerable height.
I also found the ruins of another church at the eastern extre-
mity of the town ; and near the edge of the cliff another
platform, supported by arched vaults of excellent masonry,
and evidently of very early construction, commanding an
extensive view of the surrounding country, particularly to
[Chap, xi.iii.
Amidst these ancient tombs were the ruins of a large
church in old Byzantine style, built in the form of a
Greek cross; the arches which spring from the four pilas-
ters were still entire, but the stones of which the walls are
built are very small, although fitting with great accuracy.
This church is evidently more recent than the other build-
ings; and as I am inclined to believe that they mark the
site of Nazianzus, it may be the church said to have been
built by Gregory, the father of Gregory Nazianzen, in the
beginning of the fourth century. Another small church
occurred higher up the valley to the south, where tombs
and portions of Cyclopian walls abound to the end: it ter-
minated abruptly in a rocky amphitheatre about a mile
from its commencement.
Returning down the valley on the opposite or eastern
side, I found the lower slopes of the hills, as well as the
bottom of the valley covered with similar walls and ruins,
which in some instances were partly buried under the
accumulated soil of ages. Here also were many circular-
roofed buildings, mostly below the level of the plain, with
an opening through the centre of the dome, sometimes
arranged three or four together, probably intended for
cisterns. Continuing to the north., we at length returned
to the hill which rises at the edge of the trachytic cliff
on the east of the pass of Demir Kapou. The assemblage
of high Cyclopian walls which here completely covered
the hill side, and in which numerous houses and narrow
streets might be distinctly traced for a considerable dis-
tance, was most extraordinary. I followed the direction
of one of these streets, which led me to a level space on
the summit of the hill, the probable site of a temple, or
forum, surrounded by similar walls of considerable height.
I also found the ruins of another church at the eastern extre-
mity of the town ; and near the edge of the cliff another
platform, supported by arched vaults of excellent masonry,
and evidently of very early construction, commanding an
extensive view of the surrounding country, particularly to