THE ADEIATIC PROVINCES. 



61 



Zara (Zador, 8,014 inhabitants), the capital of Dalraatia, has, however, under- 

 gone an advantageous transfiguration, for its old Venetian walls have been 

 converted into public gardens. The famous maraschino of Zara is indebted for 

 its peculiar aroma to the cherries of Makarska, near Spalato, from which it is 

 distilled. Old Zara lies about 20 miles farther south, on the site of the Slav city 

 of Biograd, which the Venetians destroyed in 1167, transferring its inhabitants 

 to New Zara. 



Sebenico (Sibenik, 6,131 inhabitants), on the estuary of the Kerka, has an 

 excellent harbour, and promises to become of importance, for it ofiPers the greatest 

 facilities for the exportation of the coal discovered near Drnis, on the slopes of 

 Mount Promina, and of the agricultural produce of the communes of Sign (Sinj) 

 and Imoski. The Gothic cathedral of the town is the finest church of Dalmatia. 

 It was built in the fifteenth century by Giorgio di Matteo, a native of the place. 



Fig. 39. — Spalato and the " Sette Castelli." 

 Scale 1 : 32,000. 



6? UoE.ofGr 



5 Miles. 



Spalato (12,196 inhabitants) is called after the pahtium of the Emperor 

 Diocletian, in which the inhabitants of ancient Salona sought refuge when their 

 town was taken by the Avares. This ancient palace is a vast structure, occupy- 

 ing nearly half the area of the town, and inhabited by 4,000 persons, besides 

 containing wine vaults, stores, and market-places. An ancient temple of Jupiter, 

 adjoining it, has been converted into a cathedral, and there still exist Roman 

 ruins of interest. Spalato has an excellent harbour, and the valley of the Glissa 

 would facilitate the construction of a railway connecting it with the interior. 

 The shores of the " Bay of the Seven Castles," which extend to the west of Spalato 

 as far as Tmu (3,069 inhabitants), are noted on account of their fertility. The 

 inhabitants of the small territory of Politza, to the east, maintained their 

 independence until 1807. They dress like Magyars, to prevent being confounded 

 with the Morlaks. 



Venerable Rajusa (Dubrovnik, 5,305 inhabitants) rises on a promontory, and 



