[Visit to Iceland by Ida Pfeiffer]@TWC D-Link bookVisit to Iceland CHAPTER II 13/48
It is called the "Broad Street," and leads from the harbour through the greater part of the town. In addition to its breadth it is very long and regular, and the splendid palaces and houses on either side give it a remarkably grand appearance. It is a peculiar sight, when, in the midst of this fine quarter, we come suddenly upon a ruin, a giant building resting on huge pillars, but half completed, and partly covered with moss and lichens.
It was intended for a splendid church, and is built entirely of marble; but the soft ground would not bear the immense weight.
The half-finished building began to sink, and the completion of the undertaking became for ever impossible. Many other streets rival the "Broad Street" in size and magnificence. Foremost among them comes the Amalienstrasse.
The most bustling, but by far not the finest, are the Oster and Gotherstrasse.
To walk in these is at first quite a difficult undertaking for a stranger.
<<Back Index Next>> D-Link book Top TWC mobile books
|