BSY_FB_17-37

37

Shaḳḳā. May 22, 1900

Our visit to Shaḳḳā was devoted chiefly to
taking photographs of the buildings so well
published by M. de Vogüé and to the search
for inscriptions, a number of which were
found which are apparently unknown.

We found the buildings illustrated by
de Vogüé sadly broken and not nearly so
well preserved as when he was here.
The modern town has grown considerably
since then and the ancient buildings
have been preyed upon for the material.

The Kaisariyeh holds its own pretty well
altho attempts have been made to displace
the lintel of the great portal. The arched
monument in front of the above retains
much of its ancient form - one half standing
but the great church has almost completely
disappeared - The interior is absolutely
irrecognizable from de Vogüés drawings and
only fragments of the facade remain by
which the monument may be identified.
(see photographs.)