‘Cyprus.’ [‎25v] (50/184)

44 CYPRUS.
cut into the rock; it measures about 80 feet in width and 25 feet in
depth ; at one time the sea was admitted into it, but it is now dry.
The only gate on this side is at the south-west corner, the road
leading to Varoschia passes through it, and it is provided with a
drawbridge and portcullis. The only other gate is on the side of
the port, and is called the water-gate ; a deep and winding archway
with a portcullis, here leads under the rampart of a circular bastion
to a rude pier of loose stones. There is a citadel on the sea-side,
which is isolated from the remainder of the works by a ditch of
stagnant water. The armament of the fortifications is in a very
neglected state; on the open space above the water-gate are four
bronze Turkish guns of very old patterns, and mounted on rotten
carriages; these are just in a sufficient state of preservation to fire
salutes, but could scarcely be used for anything else. Several of
the large Venetian bronze guns, bearing the date 1569, lie dis
mounted close inside the ramparts. Some of the worst criminals
of the Turkish Empire have until now been confined in the fortress
of Famagusta.
Although this description show's that Famagusta is at present
in the last state of ruin and decay, still the natural advantages of
the place, particularly as regards facilities for the construction of a
harbour, are so great that in all probability the town will occupy
an important place in the future history of Cyprus. The existing
remains of the ancient port are fully described in the chapter upon
the Coast at page 65.
LARNACA.
Situation.
Name.
Description of
the town.
Larnaca, at present the chief commercial town of Cyprus, is
situated on the south-east coast of the island in a bay of the same
name, contained between Capes Pila and Kiti.
According to General, di Cesnola, the town takes its name from
the ancient tombs over which it is partly built; it has been sup
posed by some that the v r ord Larnaca, signifying in Greek a box or
chest, and sometimes a funeral urn or tomb, contained an allusion
to unhealthiness in the place, but this hardly appears to be the
case. The ancient Citium once occupied the site on which Larnaca
now stands, and traces of Byzantine architecture are also to be
found in the neighbourhood.
Larnaca is comparatively a modern town, having sprung into
existence since the conquest af the island by the Turks, but, like
some of the ancient cities of Cyprus, it consists of tw T o separate
districts a short distance apart. The portion which borders the
sea-shore is called the Marina (travellers at the beginning of this
century always called it Salines), v r hile Larnaca proper is to the
north, and about three-quarters of a mile inland. Some 40 or 50
years ago the Marina consisted only of a few scattered houses and
stores, and all the Foreign Consuls and chief residents lived at the
inland part of the town; but, since the pirates of the Greek Archi
pelago who used to infest these shores, have, thanks especially to the
efforts of England, been exterminated, the Marina has become the
more important district of the two, and is a comparatively thriving
and busy place. At present a line of dwelling-houses, bazaars, and