HISTORY ETHNOGRAPHY NATURE WINE-MAKING SITE MAP
Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
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SIR SAMUEL WHITE BAKER
CYPRUS AS I SAW IT IN 1879
page 270

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was now alone, and we could no longer exhibit a combined front of three British lions to the snapping curs of Cyprus, therefore the dog Wise-ly kept close to the heels of our guide's pony and just before me, which, without the ignominy of retreat, secured his position from all assailants. W e passed below the ancient aqueduct, which conveyed a powerful volume of water to the turbine-wheel upon our right ; and at length emerging from the town, we entered once more upon the plain, and steering for a large square tower which we had remarked when at the summit of the heights, we shortly arrived at the thriving village of Kolossi, about a mile and threequarters distant. This large village was a waving sea of barley, some of the finest that I had seen, and due to artificial irrigation. A n ancient aqueduct of masonry turned a mill close to the large square tower that we had previously observed. W e halted for luncheon beneath an olivetree a few yards distant from the aqueduct, in a garden of fruit-trees which were in the brightness of a spring foliage. The square tower of masonry must have formed a portion of defensive works that have disappeared, as there is no flanking protection, but the tower rises above the plain to a height of about sixty feet like a huge block of stone. It is said to have been erected ì)y the Knights Templars, and is of great solidity ; but such experienced soldiers would hardly have constructed so important a work without due regard to the first rules of fortification. After luncheon, the camels having arrived, I would not allow them to unload, but directed them straight to Limasol. Of course their owners declared the distance

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