64 A RECENT VISIT TO THE DALMATIAN COAST. 
The Christian basilica at Salona, of which Fig. ro is a plan, 
‘* consisted of a nave with side aisles divided by a colonnade of nine 
arches on each side, and preceded by a narthex. . . . at the east 
end of the nave is the choir, enclosed once by a dwarf wall or 
screen, of which the foundations remain.”—/ackson. 
A great peculiarity in this basilica is the thick wall beyond the 
choir forming a solid partition pierced only by five doorways. 
Antiquarians are unable to offer any explanation of this curious 
wall. Northward of the church is an additional aisle running the 
whole length of the building, with two apsidal chapels opening out 
from it. The choir wall itself bears an inscription of the year 
431. Some highly interesting sarcophagi were discovered in the 
chapels, one of which represents the legend of Phzdra and 
Hippolytus. This is one of many Pagan sarcophagi which have 
been put to Christian use. 
Although, as I have said, the choir dates back to the fifth cen- 
tury, there are vestiges of a building even more ancient still ; the 
main body of the church is supposed to have been built very 
early in the seventh century. The masonry constituting the walls 
is rude, and was most likely plastered outside, the internal 
decoration being marble and mosaic. 
Those portions of the walls of Salona which are still standing 
bear witness in their battered and patched state to the many 
attacks to which the city had been subjected before its final 
destruction. It was taken and re-taken many times by Goths, 
Huns, and other barbarians, and was finally swept away by a 
terrible irruption of the Avars in 639, when, ruined and pillaged, 
it fell to the state in which we now know it. 
As we turn from the ruins of Salona towards the mountains of 
the north east, we see the celebrated fortress of Clissa perched on 
its rocky eminence, and guarding the valley. This fortress has 
always been looked upon as the key to this part of Dalmatia by 
every army which has invaded the country. It has been held by 
Hungarians, besieged by Tartars, and has changed hands over 
and over again between Turks and Venetians. It is still kept in 
a state of defence, and is garrisoned by Austrian troops. 
wy ar 
