The Life and Deeds of the Ever-Remembered Despot Stefan

or elevation) has been passed, (one comes) to the fifth, in which are all the imperial storehouses (and treasuries). The sixth town (i.e., tower, elevation) lies to the east of the preceding one, (like) a pillar dividing the two towers, so that, after Solomon, it may be said: "... the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand shields and all manner of weapons of mighty men."⁸⁵ It is seen from all distant regions, as some marvel beyond belief, fortified with walls. The seventh town (i.e., tower, elevation) is (toward) the west, (and in it is) the second imperial palace upon the height. Through (all) of these the most pious (Despot) would pass (going) to the ships, as by a kind of secret way. The upper town has four gates, on the east, west, north and south; a fifth leads into the inner town. The great (gates) on the east and south (have) great pillars and bridges which are raised by means of chains. Toward the west is a small gate, which also has a bridge; toward the north is a small (gate) leading into the small town, toward the rivers. And the gate leading into the tower also has a bridge on chains across the moat. (Belgrade) could be approached only from the south, (while) on the east, west and north it was most strongly guarded by the rivers. On the east of the city (there was) a great church, (to which) one descends as (to) the brook Kedron, toward Gethsemane.⁸⁶ That (church) is the metropolitan church (dedicated) to the Dormition of the Most Pure Mother of God; it had a cenobitic (monastery) (and) was adorned with gardens of every kind; (it possessed) much wealth, (many) villages and other (monastic) houses; it was (also) the seat of the Metropolitan of Belgrade, exarch⁸⁷ of all the Serbian lands. In the time of the most pious (Despot) it was richer than the other (churches). The (Despot) also built a new church in Perivolia,⁸⁸ dedicated to the three great hierarchs,⁸⁹ (appointed) to be the burial church of the prelates of that church. He built also a hospice⁹⁰ for the sick, and within it a church (which stood) by most sweet (healing) water, dedicated to the holy wonderworker Nicholas. He planted gardens, too, with all manner of choice fruits, endowed it with villages and many estates; in that (hospice) he fed the sick and strangers and gave them what they needed. From all his land he gathered the wealthiest men and settled them in that city (Belgrade), as once (did) in his own city the one equal to the apostles (equal) to the twelve apostles. That city (Belgrade) he freed from (the payment of) various levies; he granted privileges (to these wealthy men), swearing by firm faith that he would not waver; in (that oath were also set forth) the graces of God contained in freedom from bondage; he gave them a charter with a golden seal bearing the image of this city; and if anyone wished to buy something in any region, he would receive a sealed letter that he was a citizen of that city (Belgrade), and nowhere would he pay either customs or road toll. He entreated and secured from the surrounding regional lords, and even from the king himself, that throughout their lands merchants be freed (from dues). Therefore from all the surrounding parts (people) came without ceasing, day after day, and in a short time the city became