662 
HASSAN-KALA. 
either maims by the loss of his hand, or takes the life entirely, 
of any Christian rash enough to strike a disciple of the Prophet. 
The distance of Hassan-kala from Mazengutt, is called twelve 
hours ; and the space gained in an hour, I believe to be that of 
the usual march of a Kofla in that time ; hence we had come about 
ten agatches (hours), or forty miles at the utmost. The town and 
fortress of Hassan-kala are built on a projecting point from the 
northern line of mountains, where a most favourable site, indeed, 
offered itself, impregnable on three sides by nature. Its summit 
was chosen for the strong-hold, and accordingly crowned with a 
double-towered wall. The keep of the fortress rises within 
these formidable battlements, near the north-west face of the 
cliff. It is considered one of the strongest places in Turkish 
Armenia, but did not appear to me, from what I could perceive, 
to possess a single gun. I wished to examine more closely, by 
entering the castle,but was not allowed; the governor, who is under 
the Serraskier of Arzeroom, having orders to the contrary. The city 
is built on the south-west slope of the rock, a favourite situation 
for towns in this part of the world ; and certainly nothing can be 
more imposing and picturesque. Ranges of double walls and 
towers encompass the whole. They are of stone, and con¬ 
structed so admirably, I cannot doubt the work being that of the 
founder of the city. Time has made many inroads on their 
fabric, and, if they ever had any Greek or Armenian inscriptions, 
entirely worn them away. A Turkish writing is over the outer 
gate. The population of this once noted place, does not now 
exceed 3000 inhabitants ; but one-third of them are Christians. 
A little river with two names, the Arast-chai and Nebby-chai, 
flows at a short distance past the town in an eastern direction, 
and joins the Aras a little above Kupri-Kiey. 
