THE ANCIENT BALCONY
At the north-west end of the Eastern Temple, and at the highest point of the interior and immediately behind the higher of the terraced walls before described, fourteen steps, eight of granite cement and six of blocks, lead for 26 ft. in a north-westerly direction up a passage-way formed on the south side by a cliff, and on the north side by two large boulders. Each step is 5 in. high and extends back 18 in. The ascending passage is 7 ft. wide at its lowest part, and narrows to a creep-hole between the cliff and the upper of the two large boulders to just the size that will permit of a man passing through by stooping.
Over this passage are two colossal boulders, held up in a horizontal position by the cliff, the level top of the southernmost being 26 ft. above the bottom of the steps, which are exactly underneath. The steps are laid on cement, and probably are of a late period, at any rate there is evidence that they have been very considerably repaired.
Immediately facing the top of the steps, and 4 ft. above the creep-hole, is a rounded buttress projecting from the side of the cliff, and measuring 15 ft. in circumference. The highest part faces east, and is still 9 ft. 6 in. in height, while the north-west side is considerably dilapidated.
This passage is the approach to the Ancient Balcony and Balcony Enclosure. Following up the passage, and turning to the right at the top, one ascends a bank with traces of steps between the boulder which forms the creep-hole, and a wall on the north, and arrives on the Balcony.
The Balcony is formed by the level and parallel tops of the horizontal boulders, and is 39 ft. long, and at its widest part 12 ft. 10 in. On the south-east side is a parapet wall from 1 to 3 ft. present reduced height, and 2 ft. 6 in. wide.
The Balcony is 248 ft. above the valley, and commands a most extensive view to the south-east, including the Elliptical Temple in the valley, and the Schlichter Gorge, which extends into a sea of romantically shaped summits of kopjes and blue distances. The Balcony commands a complete view of the whole of the interior of the Eastern Temple.