|
|
| South East front of Ayios Largos or St. Hilarion. Image size 19.5 x 14.5 cms. Pl. No. 3 Page 270. ".......... As we approached what is vulgarly called Ayios Largos, but properly Saint Hilarion, which is on the summit, we found the west side of the hill so steep that our beasts could not mount it; I therefore left my luggage at Carmi, and with eight mules took a turn to the eastward, in order to find an easiest access. When I came to the rock on which it stands, I dismounted, and, having refreshed myself, sate down to make a sketch of its extraordinary aspect, which I now give you, No.3. then taking my stick in my hand, I ascended as well as I could, and walked through all the different parts of the castle. It has certainly been strong, both for its site and fortifications; but I found no beauty nor inscription, not even the year, upon any one part of its ruins; so that being disappointed and heartily tired, I walked down the west side, and you will have some notion of the difficulty of the descent, when I tell you that I spent thirty five minutes in reaching the foot of the rock upon which the castle stands. This extraordinary place is said to have been fortified by one of their queens, but which of them I could not learn: however I think it must have been Charlotta, who, with her husband, was obliged to take shelter in the castle of Cerinia, when James the Bastard was established on the throne by the Egyptian power....." |