44 BASIIAX. 



in the Alps. Kunawat, the ancient Kenath, celebrated 

 for the worship of Astarte, whose image now lies pros- 

 trate before her ruined temple, is built on the edge of an 

 upland plateau, on which its principal group of buildings 

 stands ; the remainder of the place, enclosed bj walls, 

 runs down the slope, and overlooks the great plain. In 

 the background rises a circle of wooded hills, and on one 

 side a strong green torrent forces its way in numerous 

 cascades through a narrow ravine. On a brow visible from 

 the plam, and forming a landmark for the traveller 

 approaching Kunawat, stands a temple raised on a high 

 artificial platform. The wall and many of the columns 

 have been overthrown, but enough is left standing to form 

 one of the most picturesque ruins in Sp-ia. 



A little higher up the hillside seems to have been the 

 fashionable cemetery, and we found numerous mauso- 

 leums scattered amongst the thick underwood. Thougrh 

 varying in size and architecture, they agree in their 

 general form, which is that of a small square tower, 

 with a chamber inside containing shelves for coffins. 

 Entering the old city walls, which are still well preserved, 

 we were led to a most remarkable group of ruins, now 

 called the Serai, or palace. Here we found the remains of 

 a temple, and of an extensive building, or rather several 

 buildings, which must have been used either as a palace or 

 for some public purpose. The richness of the architectural 

 ornaments, and the picturesque irregularity of the whole 

 mass, would make these ruins beautiful without their addi- 

 tional attractions. The space round them is paved, and 

 (as is seen where the pavement has fallen in) supported 

 on the arches of large subterranean reservoirs. The 

 streams, which formerly filled them, now biu'st out every- 

 where among the ruins, and cause the growth of a mass of 

 vegetation which conceals the surrounding desolation with 



