Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/339

Rh strong square towers defending the citadel on the west. On the right a staircase leads to an open gallery communicating with many small rooms. In these the garrison probably dwelt. On the north the palace is defended by a tower overlooking a broad and lofty platform, which is raised by solid masonry out of the depth of the fosse. It was from artillery planted on this platform that the Turks suffered so much during the first siege in their attack on Fort St. Nicholas, from the church of St. Antonio, now a small mosque near the Lazaretto. Returning from the Grand-Master’s palace, we look down the long and narrow street, which is well known to travellers by the name of Strada dei Cavalieri, or street of the knights. In no European city, perhaps, can be found a street so little changed since the fifteenth century. No Vandal hand has disturbed the perfect repose and keeping of the scene by demolition or repairs; the very pavement has a mediieval look, as if it had known no thoroughfare since its broad marbles were trodden by Christian warriors three centuries ago. No sound of near or distant traffic breaks in on the congenial stillness. We might almost suppose the houses to be without inhabitants were it not for the rude Turkish jalousies which project on either side, flinging long slanting shadows across the richly-sculptured façades, and lending mystery to a solitude only disturbed when from the gloom of some deep archway a veiled form glides by with averted face, scared at the unwelcome presence of the Frank traveller.”

Starting from St. John’s Church, the street of the knights slopes towards the church of St. Catherine, and contains throughout a long series of most interesting monumental records. The first object to meet the view is the ruin of the arcades which originally supported the great chapter hall. This building had been gradually falling into decay, and was completely destroyed by the explosion before referred to, but there was enough left prior to that event to give a very good idea of the grandeur and elegance of the original structure. On the foundation can be traced an old Greek inscription, showing that it had been erected on the ruins of a temple to Jupiter Sotirus. The first of the auberges or inns of the various langues was that of Spain, which occupies an angle in the street. This building was covered with armorial