Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/157

 ATEEKAII, OR OLD CAIRO, AND ITS NEIGHBOURHOOD. 127 other animals in some of tlic panels, is plainly of Christian M'ork. Underneath the eastern end is a fine well or fountain of water, supplied by pcrcohition from the Nile, and re])utcd to be possessed of curative powers. In the centre of the building is the tomb of a reputed prophet. The eastern extremity of this edifice has evidently been reconstructed. Outside is a doorway now bricked up, but ornamented with elegant arabesques in plaster, and having on the right two niches, apparently designed for lamps. Immediately behind the Synagogue there is a fine view of a portion of the massive Roman walls of the ancient "Babylon" of Egypt, and of the interior of one of the semi-circular flankiiiir towers. These last, like the walls, are constructed of lime- stone, with courses of red tiles at regular intervals, and with red tiles arranged round the top of the windows, as in the Aurelian wall at Home. The following are the dimensions of this interesting synagogue, which, it is much to be wished, could be rescued from its present state of profanation and restored to Christian worship : — Length of nave ..... Lengtii of apse ..... Width of nave ...... North aisle ...... South aisle ...... Western aisle, from entrance-door to pillars The Greek Convent is a large pile of buildings, built close by and partly upon a portion of the Roman walls. Inside at the top of a lliglit of steps is a circle of ancient pillars with old capitals around a well. This edifice forms a kind of vestibule to the small Chapel of the Forty Saints, in which is a throne for the Greek Patriarch, and some very ancient paintiiio-s. Above, again, is the large and richly decorated Church of S. George, of which the walls are partly lined with superb Arabian and Persian or Rhodian tiles. ]3chind this Convent is a Roman tower, named by the jicople " El Rorg." It contains three rooms, one of which has a fine pointed brick arch and a vaulted roof. The doors have round arches filled up square with stones and dark red bricks. This building is now used as a mill, the wheel being turned by a horse. Sitt Afiriam. No. 1. This church has been rebuilt, and contains little of interest. Feet. Indies. 49

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