DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9841#0039
22
platania and its vine-trees.
[chap.
day. This festival is called by the Turks Kurban-
bairam, the feast of sacrifice, or Khadgiler-bairam, the
feast of the khadgis, or pilgrims. The origin of both
appellations is explained by the fact that, on the day
of its commencement, those holy men slay victims, as
the last religious act of their pilgrimage to Mecca.
We had a beautiful cloudless sky : our course lay near
the shore: we passed, soon after leaving Khania, the
little flat and barren island where the Venetians had
their lazaretto, and, about six miles further on, the
village of Haghia Marina, on our left. We met several
droves of mules and asses, laden with oil for Khania:
and, on passing Haghia Marina, saw the village of
Platania, on a rocky elevation, about half a mile from
the shore and a mile before us. Soon after passing it,
we crossed its rapid stream, which rises in the White
Mountains, and, after flowing between the Rhizite vil-
lages of Theriso and Laki or Lakus, runs through a
valley formed by low hills, and filled, especially near
the stream, with lofty platanes; from which both the
village and river obtain their names. Vines twine around
most of these platanes, and are of a size unknown in
France or Italy, the thickness of many of their stems
being that of an ordinary man's waist. These vines
are never pruned, and, in consequence of the shadiness
of their situation, their fruit does not ripen till after the
common vintage: they thus supply the bazar of Khania
with grapes for the whole month of November, and,
I believe, even till near Christmas. The varied scenery
produced by these noble plane-trees, in the valley of
Platania, is very beautiful, and is one of the objects
best worth viewing by those who visit Khania, and
can stay only a short time in the island. The river
of Platania falls into the sea, nearly opposite the islet
of Haghios Theddhoros, where there is good anchorage;
and to which merchant vessels, drawing too much water
to enter the port of Khania, sometimes repair, although
the port of Sudha is ordinarily preferred by them. The
platania and its vine-trees.
[chap.
day. This festival is called by the Turks Kurban-
bairam, the feast of sacrifice, or Khadgiler-bairam, the
feast of the khadgis, or pilgrims. The origin of both
appellations is explained by the fact that, on the day
of its commencement, those holy men slay victims, as
the last religious act of their pilgrimage to Mecca.
We had a beautiful cloudless sky : our course lay near
the shore: we passed, soon after leaving Khania, the
little flat and barren island where the Venetians had
their lazaretto, and, about six miles further on, the
village of Haghia Marina, on our left. We met several
droves of mules and asses, laden with oil for Khania:
and, on passing Haghia Marina, saw the village of
Platania, on a rocky elevation, about half a mile from
the shore and a mile before us. Soon after passing it,
we crossed its rapid stream, which rises in the White
Mountains, and, after flowing between the Rhizite vil-
lages of Theriso and Laki or Lakus, runs through a
valley formed by low hills, and filled, especially near
the stream, with lofty platanes; from which both the
village and river obtain their names. Vines twine around
most of these platanes, and are of a size unknown in
France or Italy, the thickness of many of their stems
being that of an ordinary man's waist. These vines
are never pruned, and, in consequence of the shadiness
of their situation, their fruit does not ripen till after the
common vintage: they thus supply the bazar of Khania
with grapes for the whole month of November, and,
I believe, even till near Christmas. The varied scenery
produced by these noble plane-trees, in the valley of
Platania, is very beautiful, and is one of the objects
best worth viewing by those who visit Khania, and
can stay only a short time in the island. The river
of Platania falls into the sea, nearly opposite the islet
of Haghios Theddhoros, where there is good anchorage;
and to which merchant vessels, drawing too much water
to enter the port of Khania, sometimes repair, although
the port of Sudha is ordinarily preferred by them. The