_ 152 _ by sea from Salines and twenty-five miles overland. The whole island belongs to the Venetians; it is called Chipris in Greek, which means Venus. The main city of the island is Nicosia on the northern side, opposite Caramania. Item: Famagusta is a city situated on the east side at thirty-five and two-thirds degrees in flat land and consists of very good houses of stone and lime, surrounded by a strong wall with ditches and a bastion. It is not very high because the houses of the city are also low-built. It has no battlements, but it is broad and covered in plaster on the top and has openings through which the artillery can fire. There is always a captain in this city, called a potestade, placed here by the Seigniory; he is replaced every three years, together with about a thousand soldiers, paid in addition to the local men, of whom there are many. These soldiers are well armed by Venice with breastplates, mail skirts, helmets, pikes and muskets; and in addition there is a magazine well supplied with arms and artillery. In the summer, there are three galleys which patrol and defend the island from pirates, because the royal fleets do not rob them openly as they enjoy perpetual peace with the Turk. The soldiers of the garrison are mustered under
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