Ad99998 06 085a/eng
Türkische Gräber
Beschreibungstext eng
Miscell. Subj. CXXIII.. Vol. VI. No. 83., TURKISH TOMBS., To the modern Greeks and Turks death, according to the usual manner of antiquity-, does not appear under aspects of fear and terror, they rather consider it as a state of sweet repose, without aversion. For that reason ihey bury their corpses in open coffins, trimmed with precious stuffs ; they dreis the dead body in the best clothes of the deceased, covering him with flowers. Thus they commit the last remains to graves situated without the towns, on high • ways or upon hills surrounded by cypresses. These sepulchers, which frequently serve as publick walking - places, are of the most charming forms, consisting in open chests of white marble, (Fig.. II.) near which arise pillars decorated with symbols relative to the sex and rank of the deceased. The turban signifies a man; a kind of urn a woman; a rose denotes a girl. Within these chests, filled with light earth, they plant flowers, that are cultivated with religious care by the relations of the deceased. Richer Turks get built whole funeralhalls, (Fig.. i.) which consist either of open arches, bearing a cupola, or are locked up and enlightened from above. The annexed view likewise exhibits buildings of greater compass, provided with open vestibles, where the Mahometans perform their devotion.
