Page:Travels & discoveries in the Levant (1865) Vol. 1.djvu/192

154 On entering under this gateway, "we come to an open space covered with cisterns, in which the Turks keep stores of grain. In fi-ont is a confused mass of ruinous buildings, of which the plan can no longer be made out. On the left are 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 the 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 to the archway already noticed (ante, p. 151), we look down the long and narrow street which is well known to travellers by the name of Strada dei Cavaheri, 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 re- pairs; the very pavement has a mediæval 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 trafiic 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