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CHAPTER IL CONCERNING THE PORT AND TOWN OF THE SALINES. THE port of the Salines in the south of the island is the general anchorage for vessels of every nation, not only because it is the best to be found in all the kingdom of Cyprus, but also because it is the nearest to Larnaca, the city which has the greatest trade in all the island. On the shore is a town called also town of the Salines, whose length is greater than its breadth. It contains a fort built by the Turks in 1625, armed with several good pieces of artillery which bear the arms of the republic of Venice. It is a wretched building, and almost in ruins on the sea side ; it has however a guard of Janissaries, and its Disdar or Commandant. It is square without any bastion. Now its principal use seems to be to fire salutes to the war vessels of the Christian Powers, and to return those of the Grand Signor's. A little way from the fort is a Khan, or barrack, which is like a convent for monks, with its various rooms where are received all foreigners who have not their own places of abode, and here they can stay as long as they will at a small expense. Near it is the bazar or market, where are sold eatables, clothes, cloth and so on for men's use. It is the best market of the whole island, and business and sales are the greatest, because all the ships from Syria come here for their provisions, prices, especially of eatables, being moderate. In the shops too are found all kinds of European goods. Near the bazar is the custom-house^ over which is a c. Μ. τ. 2

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