Allan: A Room with a View

Florence, through the romantic imagery immortalized by E. M. Forster's 1908 novel and the 1986 film adaption by Merchant-Ivory, "A Room with a View" (...of course, I prefer the original version vs. last year's remake), is a city beyond words in description for it is a city alive with history and art that has shaped man's relationship with nature, the human form, classical architecture and culture.

Having had the opportunity to experience Florence before, it's still hard for me not to believe it's a city very much like that portrayed in the novel and film, although set in the early 1900's, the backdrop of a small (albeit important) artisan Italian city along the banks of the Arno River in Tuscany is as picturesque today. It's low storied buildings with shuttered windows covered in warm orange hued terracotta roof tile, light colored stucco walls of pale yellow or white of unbleached linen only to be punctuated with an occasional facade of burnt sienna or ochre share the landscape with Basilicas and their Campaniles (Bell Towers) rendered in rustic, square chiseled stone of varying tones of golden brown, old bridges like Ponte Vecchio, once residential fortresses like Palazzo Vecchio with it's castellated watch tower fronting Piazza (square) della Signoria and of course the Duomo (Cathedral), the crown jewel of the city with it's imposing facades layered in green and pale pink marble, only to be out done by the dome, an engineering feat in itself, remaining uncovered for decades until Brunelleschi figured out how to span the opening and build the dome.

Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance (the rebirth of what was lost of the Roman and Greek classical orders of architecture and culture to that of the Middle Ages buttressed by medieval Gothic Architecture) is filled with a wealth of art and architecture beyond that of many cities of the world, of any size. Michelangelo's David is the heralded draw to the city, but is only one of the many riches personified through the history of the Renaissance and any reputable guide book.

Of course, I love everything about Florence, it hearkens a time that I'm sure to have lived in another life thus having a familiarity and sense of belonging that I often feel when visiting a city or town steeped in history with a strong expression through the built environment; architecture, gardens and art that adorn them. Beyond the 'main attractions' or those singled out in a guide book one finds uniqueness and charm down every street, through every building doorway, around every corner, through every piazza. Beyond the visual imagery, the sounds of the city are as beautiful with the bells ringing, one after another, some distant together with some close, as if they were taking turns, not upstaging the chime or tonality of another...only the soundtrack to the movie (again, the original version) could heighten the senses beyond the now. The historic core of the city is virtually pedestrian only, with a few service and public transport vehicles making their way down the narrow stone surfaced streets out of necessity.

There is a relaxed nature to Italian culture, a slower pace, extending well beyond the city of Florence. Businesses are typically open Monday through Saturday, with a long lunch or afternoon break time, about 1:30-3:00 or 4:00, and on Saturday not reopening after lunch. Saturday afternoon and evenings are quiet as is Sunday, perhaps there is something to learn from this...

I'm thankful for each day I hear the bells toll, see the sun set along side the Duomo and the Swifts pepper the sky. It is with gratitude that I have the opportunity to experience and feel this beautiful city beyond "A Room with a View".