Volume 7

A collection of modern and contemporary voyages and travels containing, I. Translations from foreign languages ... II. Original voyages and travels ... Analyses of new voyages and travels / [Edited by F.W. Blagdon].

Date:
1805-1810
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A collection of modern and contemporary voyages and travels containing, I. Translations from foreign languages ... II. Original voyages and travels ... Analyses of new voyages and travels / [Edited by F.W. Blagdon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    by a Turkish aga, and defended by a paltry sort of castle, con- structed of wood. In war time the pacha of the Morea keeps here a corps of soldiers, in order to secure the possession of the roads in this part of the province. The inhabitants of Calavrita are chiefly Albanians, the remains of those who invaded the Morea in 1770, and who have never since been completely ex- pelled, though the pacha who was authorized to drive them from the country, employed the greatest severity. The envi- rons of this town, notwithstanding the sterility of its site, are agreeable; they contain several beautiful fountains, gardens planted with orange and lemon trees, besides an immense num- ber of mulberry trees, which afford nutriment to considerable quantities of silk-worms. They export from hence every year, as well as from Vostitza, a quantity of hard cheese, which is sold in the province to rasp into maccaroni, a dish which the rich people of Italy consider as a great delicacy. In ancient times these cheeses were highly esteemed by the Athenians, and were considered as an essential article in all well-regulated kitchens: it even seems at present that they have the same form and con- sistence as ever, nor do they appear to have undergone any change whatever, either in their make or uses. From Calavrita to Patras is reckoned a good day’s journey, as well on account of the distance as from the difficulty of the road, and the height of the mountains over which it is necessary to pass; for it requires two hours to ascend and descend Mount Vidi alone. The clouds which almost always envelope the sides of this mountain, which is the highest in Arcgdia, do not permit the eye to comprise a great extent of country, which might other- wise be seen from its elevated parts; and even in the clearest days one cannot see beyond the inferior mountains of the vicinity, which form an horizon as striking as that of that of the Alps. From the summit of Mount Yidi, Patras, which is situated on the sea-shore, cannot be discovered, though that element is distinguishable; but after descending a short distance, it comes in view. The town of Patras was known in the earliest ages by the name of Aroa, and held a distinguished rank amongst the towns of Greece. Pausanias gives a flattering idea of it, by his de- scriptions of the monuments which it contained. Amongst its celebrated edifices was an opera-house (Odeon) and several tem- ples, the most distinguished of which was that of Diana the African. Augustus compelled the inhabitants of several towns of Achaia, to come and reside at Patras, and even made it take bis name, from which time has delivered it, and restored that of Patras, its founder. It is now a metropolitan town, having been converted to the Christian faith by the apostle St. Andrew,