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Selected and rare materials, excerpts and observations from ancient, medieval and contemporary authors, travelers and researchers about Cyprus.
 
 
 
 
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GIOVANNI MARITI
Travels in the Island of Cyprus
page 64

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CHAPTER XI. DEPARTURE FROM ST CHRYSOSTOM : ARRIVAL AT CITEREA: DESCRIPTION OF THE VILLAGE. DEPARTURE THENCE FOR FAMAGUSTA. WE descend sundry barren stony hills, and five miles to the east of St Chrysostom reach the village Citerea, which lies under one of the peaks of the northern range, called Pentadactylon. The story runs that the mountain takes its name from five huge fingers of copper, which had been set on its five peaks to ward off the strong north winds : for the peasants believe that the metal has such power. But the experience of the year 1767 shows that, although the fingers are gone, the north wind has made itself very rarely felt. Without enquiring further why these colossal fingers were so erected, it may suffice to say that they were taken down by Jacques the bastard, and coined into money to meet his necessities. He did the same with all the caldrons and baths in the island. Citerea is made up of several villages, one close to the other; the mulberry trees round them make quite a grove. This is one of the most productive parts of the island ; it is especially rich in silk and cotton, and its fields are abundantly watered by a spring on the north of the village, called Cefalo-friso, or well-head, in which are three large jets, which throw out so much water that a few paces only from the source it turns a mill. There are many more mills below which grind grain for the neighbourhood, and for the city of Nicosia,

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