132 ACROPOLIS OF MYRA. 



Oockerell, who first discovered it, is three hun- 

 dred and sixty feet. The arena is now a corn-field. 

 A large portion of the proscenium is still standing. 

 It appears to have been a highly-finished build- 

 ing, the wings ornamented with polished granite 

 columns surmounted by Corinthian capitals of 

 white marble, one of which is still in its place. 



Leaving the theatre, we next visited a few 

 rock-tombs to the north of it, and from thence 

 commenced the ascent to the acropolis, at first 

 exceedingly difficult, until we found an ancient 

 road cut out of the rock, with steps leading to 

 the summit. Near the summit, by the road- 

 side, we saw some niches, intended apparently 

 for tablets or votive offerings. The walls of 

 the acropolis are entirely built of small stones 

 with mortar. We saw no remains of any more 

 substantially or solidly built structures ; but it 

 is evidently the hill alluded to by Strabo, upon 

 which "Myra is said to have been situated." 

 We remained but a short time to rest ourselves, 

 and to cast a glance over the partially cultivated 

 plain stretching between the ancient port of An- 

 driace and Cape Phinika. Descending from the. 

 acropolis to the village at the foot of the hill, 

 we then proceeded to the rock-tombs on the 



