so it had appeared to us; and yet, when I came and sought for it near to that Mosque, I could not find it. The reason of this is, that the inclosure walls of the said Seraglio are exceedingly high; and the Temple is in the middle of it, on the top of a hill—one of the seven hills which are within the walls of Constantinople: on this account, the height of the Temple is conspicuous from Galata and Scutari, being considerably higher than the dome and cupola of Saint Sophia; and so we thought, when we first saw it, on our entrance into Stamboul. Upon seeking for it anew, I obtained further information from a tailor of the aforementioned Eski Serai—that it is therein remaining in its pristine condition, and that the forms and images of Philosophy are also still existing on its walls; but no one is permitted to enter the said palace at all, without a proof of acquaintance.
We asked them again concerning the Temple Χαλϰοπρατέα, where it was. They answered us, that it was in the place where is now the Mosque of Sultan Bajazet.
Sect. VIII.
Constantinople.—Soleimanieh.
Then we passed on to see the vast and illustrious Mosque called the Soleimanieh, which is one of the wonders of the world, for the multitude of its columns, yellow, green and brown, and for its immense coloured pavement; for its loftiness; and for the soaring shoot of its minarets. In the court is a high cupola of marble, with pillars of the same material, from the roof of which water descends: for the said pillars are hollow, and the water issues from them in beautiful artifice. It is more delicious and sweeter than the water of Aleppo.
Next, we went to see the Mosque of Sultan Mahomet, which is above the house of the Patriarch, in the Fanar, on the top of a hill.
Afterwards, we descended from the Fanar, into a boat, and passed over to Khass Keui[1], upon invitation. In this village are numerous houses of Jews and
- ↑ In the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Jews of Spain were expelled that country. Setting out, to the amount of 800,000 persons, they turned their faces to the East, and were kindly received in different parts of the Ottoman Empire. The principal division of them came to Constantinople; and were assigned this district, where they form a community of 50,000 persons. They are styled Mosāfir, or Visitor, by the Turks, as having sought an asylum among them; and are consequently treated with kindness and hospitality.
