THE VENETIAN ISLANDS ON THE COAST OF THE MOREA.

The principal islands near this coast, subject to the Venetians, are these: Choka (Cerigo), fifteen miles south of Cape Menkesheh, and sixty miles in circumference; it has a strong castle. Zaklisa (Zante), fifteen miles west of Helomej, is a rocky island, and has a strong fortress.

THE TOWNS ON THE ARNAOUT SHORES.

In the Atlas this country is called Albania. Fifty-six miles from the mouth of the Gulf of Lepanto is Prevesa; eighty miles from thence is the posterior part of Delvino; sixty beyond that Avlona; a hundred farther Duraj (Durazzo); and a hundred miles beyond that is Nuovo. On these shores, turning round from Port Injeer, in the island of Aiamur (Lefcathia) to the mouth of the Gulf of Narda (Arta), we first meet the castle of Prevesa. Next Parga, which is a castle belonging to the Venetians, situated on an elevated spot near the sea. Behind it is Mount Mizarak: to the east the country is rocky, and is interspersed with villages and water-mills.[4] Then, the port of Chinak, opposite the island of Corfu, is a celebrated harbour. It has lately been strengthened by having a fortress built in it. Next, passing a small arm of the sea, is Lake Dalianli, at the mouth of which is a castle belonging to the Venetians, rendered famous from its having been lately captured by one of the princes of that nation. To the north of Cape Durazzo are the castles of Lemesh, Eskanderieh, Oulkoun, Bar, Boudou, and Nuovo. The latter, which is situated in the Bay of Coutour (Cattaro), is called Castel Nuovo, which signifies a new castle. Eighteen miles farther, at the extreme end of the bay, is the castle of Cattaro, situated in the Ottoman dominions, but subject to Venice. It is built at the foot of a mountain, and a river passes it on both sides. Being a very strong castle, its capture has hitherto been found impracticable. The islands near these are, the two islands of Kefalonia (Cephalonia), situated opposite the mouth of the Gulf of Lepanto. Great Cephalonia is one hundred and fifty miles in circumference, and is a well-populated island. Its castle was once captured, but after the taking of Modon the Venetians again took possession of it. It is twenty miles east from Zante. Little Cephalonia (Theaki) is a small island to the north: it has no castle. Port Injeer in Aiamura (Lefcathia), is about six miles from Cephalonia. Then, opposite Parga is Bahshiler (Paxu), a pleasant little island of about thirty miles in circumference, and eighteen from the shore. We next come to the island of Corfu, which extends from Delvino along the Mizarak shores. It is about forty miles from Parga, and its castle is six miles from Port Chinak. It is one hundred and ninety miles in circumference, is a celebrated and well-populated island, and has a strong fortress built in the sea, but connected on one side with the land. In former times this island passed by right of inheritance from one of the Christian princes who governed Albania into the hands of a woman, but in A. H. 803 (A. D. 1400), the Venetians becoming victorious, succeeded by stratagem in wresting it from her, and having fortified the castle, they made it a guard island for the Gulf, and a general rendezvous for their army and navy. Near to it, in the mouth of the Gulf, is a watch-tower, and Kemal Reis observing that the Venetians had their eye upon it, repeatedly suggested to the late Sultan Soleiman Khan the necessity of capturing it; in consequence of which, in 943 of the Hejra (A. D. 1536), the illustrious emperor proceeded thither by sea and land, and completely besieged it. What followed shall be related in its proper place. The castle of Corfu, as described in the Bahria, is nearly three miles in circumference, is a very strong fort, and has within it and in the suburbs about eighteen thousand houses. Within the walls the Venetians have built, upon two hills, two towers of stone, with a subterraneous passage between them, so that when necessary they are able to render assistance to each other. Its walls are surrounded by the sea, and it has also a harbour, into which the smaller vessels enter, but the galleys lie outside. Between this island and the coast there is a small strait, by which when necessary an army may pass. The above-mentioned islands are the principal ones belonging to the Venetians, but there are besides them numerous little islands in the Gulf. Sixty miles below Corfu is Avlona, which is opposite Kara Beroun (in Anatolia) and Cape St. Maria (C. di Leuca) on the Polia shores, and from this place the sea is called the Gulf of Venice. It extends as far as the city of Venice in the north, is seven hundred miles in length, and about one hundred and fifty in breadth. On its eastern coast are the districts of Arnaout, Hersek (Herzegovinia), Bosnia, and Croatia. On the west, Lombardia, Ancona, and Poliapiana.

THE HERSEK AND BOSNIA SHORES.

Having passed Castel Nuovo, situated as before described on the Bay of Cattaro, and proceeding eighteen miles to the north, we come to the castle of Dobra-Venedik (Ragusa), situated in a district the inhabitants of which are an independent people, and whose territory extends from Hersek to Ghabla and Mostar. From this castle, Sebeneco is distant two hundred miles, and between them on the river Mostar is Ghabla, a harbour which has its Capudan. On the opposite side are two long islands belonging to the Venetians which are called Braj (Brazza), and Lesina. Beyond Ghabla is Ispalat (Spalatra), which also belongs to the Venetians, and is a well-known port and harbour. Near that, on an elevated spot on the land, is Kelis, a strong citadel, which has lately been taken by the Venetians; but means must be used to recover it. Beyond this, on the coast, is Shebenic (Sebenico), a strong castle, with a spacious harbour, into which falls a great river that flows from the north. Near this castle is a rocky eminence where Tekeli Pasha was once routed. Zadra (Zara), twenty miles beyond Sebenico, is a strong fortress, almost entirely surrounded by the sea, being only on one side slightly connected with the land. Between these two castles, at the place where the river Darmah falls into the sea, is the fort of Iskaradin. The above river divides the districts of Kerka and Kelis, all the forts of which have been taken by the Venetians. Here the Bosnia shore terminates.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CHRISTIAN TOWNS.

Along the coast beyond Zara are the forts of Nodi and Sein (Zeng), belonging to the Germans. Behind them, on the land, are Abrutisa, Bahka, Todornoi, Bamaluka, and Kostanitza. These are the frontiers of Croatia. Then, between Zara and Venice, which is a space of one hundred and fifty miles, lies the country of Istria. It is in the form of a square, and three sides of it are surrounded by the sea. It has in it, and on the shores, many towns and forts, some of which are governed by the Venetians, and some by the German princes. Farther on is the district of Friuli, called also Forum Julii, which signifies the market of Julius Cæsar. It is a very large district, and part of it borders on the city of Venice. The sources of the rivers Save and Drave are in it, and it contains numerous towns and forts, most of which are governed by the Venetians, though they are all tributary to the Emperor (of Germany). In travelling to Venice we go through this country. All its towns and forts are marked in my translation of the Atlas Minor.

VENICE.

Venedik, as described in the Atlas, has various significations: it is also called Venechia and Venetia. It is a large city, built upon sixty small islands in a corner of the sea like a lake. Its waters ebb and flow every six hours; and some of the isles are raised like ramparts to prevent the water from overflowing. This city has three or four passages to the sea; and although it is not guarded by walls and towers, its being so completely surrounded by water renders it quite safe and free from all danger. Between the houses there are roads and passages by which passengers and boats may pass from house to house. Over these waters there are about four hundred and fifty bridges, both of stone and wood. The largest of these roads they call a canal; it divides the city into two parts, and over it there is a wonderful bridge. Eight thousand vessels are constantly in motion, some of which are ornamented with covers, and these they call gondolas. The circumference of the city is nearly eight miles; and its principal streets are sixty-four in number. The public and private buildings are excessively grand and ornamental, especially the church dedicated to the Four Evangelists, which is called St. Marco, and is an astonishing building. It is adorned with the most valuable and expensive stones, and its interior is gilt with pure gold. In the treasury, which they say is a sacred deposit, there are kept the most costly and precious articles; and affirming that the city with all its castles and ships belongs to it, the priests have shackled these fools, and by this artifice have brought under their power all the Christians, small and great. The city has three fine market-places, all adjoining each other: in the square of the principal one is the above-mentioned church; and close to the quay there are two massy columns; upon one of which is set up the standard of St. Marco, and upon the other the image of St. Theodorus. On the flag is represented a lion with wings; by which, and on their coins also, they celebrate the valour of St. Marco, who is said to have been a brave and valiant person. The space between the two columns is the Hall of Justice. The centre of the city they call the Arsenal; which has a spacious building, and being two miles in circumference, it forms a strong castle. Here naval armaments and cannons are daily manufactured and repaired; and the wrecks of fleets, the arms taken from pirates, old vessels, and colours, being deposited in this place, are exhibited to visitors.