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VIEWS FROM A TRIP AROUND THE WORLD
#35 - MECCA, ARABIA
Size: 5" x 3"
Copyrighted: 1891
Lithographer: Joseph P. Knapp
Illustrations: An Arabian Beauty; City and Temple of Mecca; The Mountains
of Horeb; Caravan Leader; The Mecca Caravan
Reverse - Text |
Left section:
GRIND
YOUR COFFEE AT HOME
Right section: |
MECCA, ARABIA. |
Mecca, (Makka,) the
great holy city of Islam, lies in
the heart of a group of hills, a
sort of outpost to the great
mountain wall that divides the
coast lands from the central
plateau--a sterile valley about
45 miles east from Jidda on the
Red Sea. The hills surrounding
Mecca are intersected by a large
number of minor valleys
connecting with the principal
passes of the mountain ranges
beyond, thus giving ample means
for commercial relations with the
outside world. Long before
Mohammed, Mecca was established
in the two-fold character of a
commercial centre and a point for
religious homage--religious
observances for pilgrims being
held jointly with a series of
annual fairs in the sacred
locality. The special ceremonies
of the great feast were always
arranged to occur at the time of
readiness for the market of the
hides, fruits and other
merchandise. The victory of
Mahommetanism greatly enlarged
the importance of the city,
making it the centre of pious
resort for the entire Mohammedan
world; but the curious ceremonies
of Islamism savor in many details
of the ancient heathen rituals.
The ancient walls were only at
three points where three gates
led into the town. The length of
the main axis of the city from
the farthest suburbs of the
Medina road to those of the
extreme north, now frequented by
Bedouins, is called 300 paces.
About in the middle of this line
is the vast enclosure containing
the sacred Kaaba and other holy
places. This is the only
architectural feature of any
significance in the city. The
Kaaba was the chief sanctuary of
Mecca in very ancient times. Its
walls are covered with rich
curtains of black silk
embroidered with texts from the
Koran in gold. The grand object
of reverence is a great black
stone in one corner of the
building, placed at a convenient
height for the kisses of the
pilgrims. |
Population, (est.) 50,000. |
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