It is clear that you build these essays with the same care as the architects of beauty you write about, creating monuments to beauty. Interestingly, this essay made me think not of buildings but of humanity, and how what we build within our societies and ancestries will also affect what sustains and what crumbles. That if we build our societies intending them to be strong and beautiful, we will sustain the best of humanity.
As a musician long ago I played in the orchestra of the Arena di Verona, and I cannot begin to describe the awe of operas and concerts in that amazing setting!
I resonate very much with what you've written here. I have lived abroad in various countries for over 27 years. When I graduated and landed a job on Wall Street, I left Rome and thought I would never return. Cannot remember who said this, but travelling is not just (or, so much) a discovery of places, as much as a discovery of oneself. That is one thing I think I discovered about living and working in the US. Travelling across the States was always an incredible experience, and still is. However, one thing that was a little unsettling was that going from one city to the other was like going through a copy/paste experience. A 'chain-store' experience.
Some years ago, I was asked by an American tourist visiting Rome 'why are there so many old buildings? Why don't they tear them down and build new ones?'. I replied, 'yes, somewhat of a scandal!'.
The Appian Way is the wonder that strikes me most. The grand buildings are awesome but this humble road, engineered to be accessible to all manner of trekkers over the stretch of time, moves me as simple and unassuming but immeasurably vital. Getting emotional over a road was not on my checklist for today! Well done, James. You've made me unexpectedly think and feel in the best way. 👏🏻❤️
Thank you so much James - my brother died on the 21st of February this year, but his birthday was the 21st of April - how lovely that I can now, in my minds eye, see the sun streaming through the roof of The Pantheon in Rome as I remember him each year on his birthday - he would have laughed in delight at that. 🤗
As Sabrina said so well you James build beauty with words Thank you again for making real that for which we hunger that which cannot be satisfied in no other way Thank you for giving us joy so rare
I’ve never studied architecture, but I have admired it. Thank you for a fascinating article about the ingenuity of Roman architecture and how it informs architects to this day. You are so right. Modern architecture has largely abandoned beauty for profit, as in planned obsolescence. Many buildings, from individual homes to capitol buildings and museums, still stand because permanence and beauty were the goals, and they were seen as worth preserving. I hope we get back to that somehow.
Thank you James , yes I will always have that April 21st connection now - so I forwarded your article to a Dutch friend and now he is reading your articles too - I hope your Substack grows 🥰
Beautiful piece-- so moving. To live in Rome is to be amazed every morning at the beauty that has endured. The painful thing is that so much of the post-war architecture not only fails to reach a similar level (that's probably inevitable) but doesn't even aspire to be anything more than functional and short-lived.
It is clear that you build these essays with the same care as the architects of beauty you write about, creating monuments to beauty. Interestingly, this essay made me think not of buildings but of humanity, and how what we build within our societies and ancestries will also affect what sustains and what crumbles. That if we build our societies intending them to be strong and beautiful, we will sustain the best of humanity.
Thank you so much Sabrina, this means a lot. And yes, we are always the architects of what comes next.
Your love of beauty and the eloquence of your descriptions stir my soul. Thank you for this gift.
Thank you so much!
As a musician long ago I played in the orchestra of the Arena di Verona, and I cannot begin to describe the awe of operas and concerts in that amazing setting!
Thank you, James — you’ve filled my heart with joy, yet again, today! 🙏
This means the world to me. Thank you so much.
As always, I gain so much from every one of your posts. Thanks for taking us with you through these amazing journeys, James!
That's beautiful, thank you Barbara!
I resonate very much with what you've written here. I have lived abroad in various countries for over 27 years. When I graduated and landed a job on Wall Street, I left Rome and thought I would never return. Cannot remember who said this, but travelling is not just (or, so much) a discovery of places, as much as a discovery of oneself. That is one thing I think I discovered about living and working in the US. Travelling across the States was always an incredible experience, and still is. However, one thing that was a little unsettling was that going from one city to the other was like going through a copy/paste experience. A 'chain-store' experience.
Some years ago, I was asked by an American tourist visiting Rome 'why are there so many old buildings? Why don't they tear them down and build new ones?'. I replied, 'yes, somewhat of a scandal!'.
But, admittedly, I'm biased.
The Appian Way is the wonder that strikes me most. The grand buildings are awesome but this humble road, engineered to be accessible to all manner of trekkers over the stretch of time, moves me as simple and unassuming but immeasurably vital. Getting emotional over a road was not on my checklist for today! Well done, James. You've made me unexpectedly think and feel in the best way. 👏🏻❤️
Thank you so much James - my brother died on the 21st of February this year, but his birthday was the 21st of April - how lovely that I can now, in my minds eye, see the sun streaming through the roof of The Pantheon in Rome as I remember him each year on his birthday - he would have laughed in delight at that. 🤗
I'm so sorry for your loss, and so glad my piece gave you this image to return to. May April 21st always shine for you.
As Sabrina said so well you James build beauty with words Thank you again for making real that for which we hunger that which cannot be satisfied in no other way Thank you for giving us joy so rare
Love this and learned something new!
I’ve never studied architecture, but I have admired it. Thank you for a fascinating article about the ingenuity of Roman architecture and how it informs architects to this day. You are so right. Modern architecture has largely abandoned beauty for profit, as in planned obsolescence. Many buildings, from individual homes to capitol buildings and museums, still stand because permanence and beauty were the goals, and they were seen as worth preserving. I hope we get back to that somehow.
❤️
I am shaking my head and wondering and feeling the gift of detail used in planing before building: the wisdom of the Romans.
Mind expansion exponentially!
Love this!
Thank you James , yes I will always have that April 21st connection now - so I forwarded your article to a Dutch friend and now he is reading your articles too - I hope your Substack grows 🥰
Thank you so much!
Beautiful piece-- so moving. To live in Rome is to be amazed every morning at the beauty that has endured. The painful thing is that so much of the post-war architecture not only fails to reach a similar level (that's probably inevitable) but doesn't even aspire to be anything more than functional and short-lived.
Sad but true.
Thank you James
This article is so timely for me. We are visiting Rome right now.
What I notice is all the knowledge we lost. Like how to make concrete or having into plumbing.