The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-11-30

a thousand years or more ana
under many dynasties the CAPT
tai of Kravonia, is an island set
in a plain. II lies In the broad valley
OF the Krath. which at this point flows
due east. Immediately above the city
the river divides into two branches
known as the North and South rivers.
Slavna is clasped In the embrace OF
these channels. Conditioned by their
course its form is not circular, but
pear shaped. for they bend out In grad
uql broad curves TO their greatest dis
lance from one another. reapproaeh-
Ing quickly after that point Is passed
TIL they meet again nj the end, or,
rather, what was originally the end,
Of the city TO the east. The single re
united river may stand for the stalk OF
the pear.
In old days the position was a strong
one. Nowadays 1t is obviously much
less defensible. and those In power
had recognized this fact In two ways
FIRST by allocating money for a new and
scientific system OF Notifications. sec
ond by destroying almost entirely the
ancient and out of date walls which
had once been the protection OF the
city. Part OF the wall on the north
side. indeed. still stood, but where II
had escaped ruin 1t was incumbered
and built over with warehouses and
wharfs. for the North river is the
channel OF commerce and the medium
Of trade with the country round about.
To the south the wall has been entirely
demolished, its site being occupied by
boulevard. on to which faces a line Of
handsome modern residences. for as
the North river is for trade. so the
South is for pleasure. and this boule-
ward has been carried across the
stream and on beyond the old limits Of
the city and runs for mile or farther
on the right bank OF the reunited
Krath. forming a delightful and well
shaded promenade. where the citizens
are accustomed to take their various
forms of exercise.
Opposite to II, on the left bank, lies
the park attached TO the palace. That
building Itself. dating from 1870 and
regrettably typical OF the style OF its
period. faces the river on the left bank
Just where the stream takes a broad
sweep 10 the south. giving a rounded
margin TO the kings pleasure grounds
Below the palace there soon comes
open country on both banks. The bou-
levard merges In the main posroad to
Volseni and 90 the mountains which
form the eastern frontier Of the king
dom At this date and for a consider
able number Of years afterward the
only railway line IN krayouia did not
follow the course OF the Kr3th. which
itself afforded facilities for traffic and
intercourse. but ran down from the
north. having its terminus on the left
bank OF the North river. whence car
riage bridge gave access TO the city.
To vote money is one thing. 10 raise
II another. and 10 spend It on the desig
mated objects third Not a stone nor
a sod OF the new forts was yet In place.
and Slavna's solitary defense was the
ancient castle which stood on the left
Of the bank Just at the point OF bisec-
ton. facing the casino and the botanical
gardens on the opposite bank. Sulei-
mans tower. relic OF Turkish rule. Is
built on a simple plaza square curtain.
with a bastion at each corner. incloses
a massive circular tower. The gate
faces the North river. and a bridge
which admits of being raised and low
cred. connects this outwork with the
north wall Of the city. which at this
point is in good preservation. The
fort Is roomy. Two or three hundred
men could find quarters there. and. a.
though II is under modern conditions
II little use against an enemy from
without. II occupies a position Of con
siderable strength with regard 20 the
city itself. II formed at this time the
headquarters and residence OF the com
mandant OF the garrison. a post held by
the heir TO the throne. the Prince OF
Slavna.
In spite OF the fatness OF the sur
rounding country. the appearance OF
Slavna Is not unplcturesque. Time and
the hand Of man (the people are a color
loving race have given many fints.
soft and bright. 10 the roofs. gables and
walls of the old quarter OF the north
town. over which Suleiman's tower
broods with an antique impressiveness.