The gulf of the
Golden Horn, to the north-east of the city, forms a noble and capacious
harbour, four miles in length, by half a mile in breadth, capable of
securely containing 1,200 ships of the largest size, and is generally
filled with the curiously built vessels and gaily decorated boats of the
Turks; on the opposite shore is the maritime town of Galata, containing
the docks, arsenals, cannon founderies, barracks, &c.; above which stands
the populous suburb of Pera, the residence of the foreign ministers of the
Porte, and all foreigners of distinction, none whatever being allowed to
reside in the city. Beyond, as far as the eye can reach, is an immense
forest of cypress and mulberry trees, being the extensive cemeteries of
all persuasions. From Galata, the European shore of the Bosphorus forms
one continued line of towns; palaces in every style of architecture,
pleasure gardens, and romantic villages. On the opposite, or Asiatic shore,
stands the extensive town of Scutari, also a suburb of Constantinople,
although in another quarter of the globe, and separated by a sea a mile in
breadth; and at a short distance is the ancient and ruinous city of
Calcedone.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25