180 DIGS.NET
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12.16.2016
A R C H I T E C T | D E S I G N | B U I L D
(previous page) Brunelleschi's imposing Santa Maria del Fiore, or simply the Duomo, serves as the city's central landmark around
which the rest of the city revolves. (this page, from left) e Duomo's iconic pink and green architecture stands out against a softly
colored sunrise. e golden light of Italy illuminates restaurants, stores, and homes on a bustling street in the city center.
A
ccordion music floats through the air, golden light bathes
cobblestone streets, and the faint scent of basil teases the
palate. It's unmistakable—you're in Italy. A country with
perhaps more devotion to pleasure than any other, any time spent
in the boot is a feast for the senses. Besides the obvious culinary
delights, the aesthetics of Italy have singular appeal. Modernity is not
prized here; rather, a reverence for the ancient is apparent in each
building. Italian culture values beauty above all else, an ideology that
manifests everywhere, from the architecture to the locals themselves.
The Renaissance city, Florence, is perhaps best known for
Brunelleschi's masterpiece: the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore,
more commonly known as the Duomo. The church's face is a dizzying
puzzle of pink, green and white marble intertwined around ornate
statues and engravings surrounding massive wooden doors. And,
of course, the most striking feature: the massive dome itself, equally
impressive from the inside as out, with a painting to rival the Sistine
Chapel adorning its ceiling. The Basilica di Santa Croce is another of
Brunelleschi's creations, a slightly smaller pink and green confection
of a church presiding over an expansive square. Dine at Finisterrae
for quality food with a view—be sure to nab a table outside in the
piazza, and try the pesto potato lasagna. When crossing the Arno
River, stroll by the Galleria degli Uffizi, a stately museum hosting some
of the world's best art. With statues of greats such as Dante and Da
Vinci outside in the niches below the porticos, it's hard to believe
these hallowed halls were once simply office space ("uffizi" literally
translates to offices).
