DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4023#0059
A N D N U B I A. 13
being half ruined, it was better to fill them up, than to be exposed to the ac-
cidents, that the keeping of them up might have occasioned, from day to day.
This is all that I am able to say, concerning the reservoirs of Alexandria.
The defigns, and the measures with which they are accompanied, will give the
reader a compleat idea of them.
There remains nothing else to observe in the inclosure of the ancient j^eofRo"
Alexandria, but the gate of Rosetto, and another gate, through which you go
from the old town to enter into the new, after having gone across the great
square of the former. These two gates are built in the same taste as the rest
of the inclosure. That of Rosetto has some little towers at each angle; the
other, which is near a great bastion, has but a plain opening in the wall. The
folding doors of the gate are of wood, and are covered with plates of iron, ex-
tremely rusted.
A s it is better to finim all we have to say concerning the antiques, before we
pass to the modern, it is proper to take a turn towards the old port, on the
border of which we mall find remains of antiquity, belonging to the ancient
Alexandria, or at lead to its suburbs.
The old port, otherwise called the port of Africa, has on one side the Great
Pharillon, which defends it, as it makes likewise the defence of the new port.
Opposite the Great Pharillon, and upon the neck of land, which forms the old
port, there is another little castle, for the security of the same port on that side ;
and in front a part of the new town joins itself to the old. It is from this place
we set out, to go and examine some remains of antiquity which consist of
sepulchral grots, subterraneous temples, little harbours, or baths, &C.
The sepulchral grots begin from the place, where the ruins of the old city Sepulchral
terminate, and they run to a great distance along the border of the sea. They £r°tS'
are all dug in the rock; sometimes one over another ; sometimes one aside of
another, according as the situation of the ground has permitted. Avarice or
the hope of finding something there, has caused them all to be opened. I have
not seen a single one shut up; and have absolutely found nothing within them.
It is easy to judge, by their shape, and by their great number, of the use, for
which they were designed. We may say, that in general they have only a suf-
ficent breadth to contain two dead bodies, one lying by another. Their length
exceeds but very little that of a man; and they have more or less height, ac-
cording to the disposition of the rock. The greatest part have been opened by
violence ; and that which remains of them intire is not ornamented either with
sculpture or painting.
What we have mentioned is too barren a spot, to continue there any longer. Baths and
It is better to call: our eyes on those little hollowplaces of the more, which they [Sure!
made use of for agreeable retreats; where they diverted themselves with enjoy-
ing the cool air; and from whence, without being seen, but when they chose it,
E they
being half ruined, it was better to fill them up, than to be exposed to the ac-
cidents, that the keeping of them up might have occasioned, from day to day.
This is all that I am able to say, concerning the reservoirs of Alexandria.
The defigns, and the measures with which they are accompanied, will give the
reader a compleat idea of them.
There remains nothing else to observe in the inclosure of the ancient j^eofRo"
Alexandria, but the gate of Rosetto, and another gate, through which you go
from the old town to enter into the new, after having gone across the great
square of the former. These two gates are built in the same taste as the rest
of the inclosure. That of Rosetto has some little towers at each angle; the
other, which is near a great bastion, has but a plain opening in the wall. The
folding doors of the gate are of wood, and are covered with plates of iron, ex-
tremely rusted.
A s it is better to finim all we have to say concerning the antiques, before we
pass to the modern, it is proper to take a turn towards the old port, on the
border of which we mall find remains of antiquity, belonging to the ancient
Alexandria, or at lead to its suburbs.
The old port, otherwise called the port of Africa, has on one side the Great
Pharillon, which defends it, as it makes likewise the defence of the new port.
Opposite the Great Pharillon, and upon the neck of land, which forms the old
port, there is another little castle, for the security of the same port on that side ;
and in front a part of the new town joins itself to the old. It is from this place
we set out, to go and examine some remains of antiquity which consist of
sepulchral grots, subterraneous temples, little harbours, or baths, &C.
The sepulchral grots begin from the place, where the ruins of the old city Sepulchral
terminate, and they run to a great distance along the border of the sea. They £r°tS'
are all dug in the rock; sometimes one over another ; sometimes one aside of
another, according as the situation of the ground has permitted. Avarice or
the hope of finding something there, has caused them all to be opened. I have
not seen a single one shut up; and have absolutely found nothing within them.
It is easy to judge, by their shape, and by their great number, of the use, for
which they were designed. We may say, that in general they have only a suf-
ficent breadth to contain two dead bodies, one lying by another. Their length
exceeds but very little that of a man; and they have more or less height, ac-
cording to the disposition of the rock. The greatest part have been opened by
violence ; and that which remains of them intire is not ornamented either with
sculpture or painting.
What we have mentioned is too barren a spot, to continue there any longer. Baths and
It is better to call: our eyes on those little hollowplaces of the more, which they [Sure!
made use of for agreeable retreats; where they diverted themselves with enjoy-
ing the cool air; and from whence, without being seen, but when they chose it,
E they