After traveling to places like Florence, that literally take your breath away, I have started to observe buildings, not just pass them obliviously. Florence is known for luring people to sights like The Duomo, the Campanile and the Palazzo Vecchio, all of which have design, detail and history laced into their structure. After researching cities, venturing to them, exploring the attractions and spending time there, photographing, I have learned the importance and individuality of architecture.
Inside the Palazzo Vecchio
The Duomo
The definition of architecture is "the style in which a building is designed or constructed, especially in regard to a specific period, place or culture." Now that I truly appreciate the architecture, I see why the word holds so much substance. As I've been saying, Florence was beautiful, but one of the reasons it holds such a majestic presence is because of the amount of history that resides in the city. And not only does the city hold historic importance, but the buildings tell stories of their own. With every craving, with every stone placement, we have some of the most beautiful creations in the world: buildings.
My love and attention to detail ran wild when I went to Belgium this past weekend. My first stop was to Brussels, Bruxelles to the French, and I was beside myself. Part of the reason I found such elegance in the city and the construction was because of its European status. Being the main center of international politics and the capital of the EU, Grand Place was literally humbling to walk through. Between the buildings trimmed in gold, rooftops lined with graceful statues, and quaint french boutiques and bistros scattered along the perimeter - the city put me in my place. As a tourist, I felt blessesd to have the opportunity to be there. As an American, I was proud of my camera lens and used it creatively!
Grand Place
The Markt
Next was Bruges, Brugge as the Dutch say. Truly, and surprisingly, my favorite city in Europe thus far. The town had some similar grand architecture (ie: Provinciaal Hof and The Church of our Lady), but it was the surrounding buildings and the town itself that swooned me. All the buildings, pieced together as one unit, but individually painted to differentiate each from the next. On top of that, the tall, narrow buildings then had unique rooflines, adding character and charm. The Markt itself, essentially the center of the city, was incredible. Every direction I looked, I snapped a photo. It was chilly and overcast, and the pictures still look stunning. And that is what real architecture does.
The best architecture does not have to necessarily be in the best location. But the best architecture can take any day, and time period, and any specific moment, and change it for an individual. True architecture moves a person in a way that cannot be described in words - you feel the history, the depth, the beauty, the ambiance, and all together they create this incredible sight. Something as moving as history with the power of a visual aid (also known as, architecture) has the ability to change someone. Now, when I go back to the States, I am going to pull into St. Louis, see the Arch, and think about the symbolism and history it holds. It is the gateway to the West, it is a legacy of Lewis and Clark. Like I said, it's not the location that matters, it's the story behind it and how it makes you feel. All I needed was a little change setting and I got a big wake up call. I'm not in Kansas anymore, and I'm not sure when my next excursion to Europe will be, but I know I will be stopping in Bruges for a few days.
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