If you ever have the chance, I urge you to visit the city of Florence, Italy. As one walks in its ancient streets, a palpable sense of walking through history can be felt. Each building and cobbled street harks back to the Florence of Michelangelo, Dante, Da Vinci, and countless others who made significant contributions to science, engineering, and of course the cultural and artistic tradition of not only the city - but European civilization. Perhaps then it is no surprise that one may sense this, as such genius minds – the architects of much of the European consciousness - lived within the city and walked too amongst its olive and pastel-colored buildings.

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

A definite focal point of the Florence skyline would be the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Saint Mary of the Flower). Completed in 1436, the cathedral stood with the largest dome in the world until the development of modern structural materials, and it is today the largest brick dome ever built. It can be seen in its total magnificence from the bell tower adjacent. In my opinion, the cathedral stands as proof of mankind’s potential for greatness and the manifesting of beauty into material reality, if he should only utilize his creative capacity for such things.

Ponte Vecchio

Another landmark of the city is Ponte Vecchio, the Old Bridge, that straddles the river Arno. The bridge is populated by the shops that protrude from its sides. Historically these were occupied by butchers, tanners, and farmers. Today, however, the vendors are jewelers’ shops, art dealers, and souvenir sellers. This is because of a decree by Cosimo de’ Medici in 1565, and served to clean up the bridge and enhance its prestige.

Michelangelo’s David

Symbolic of Florence too, Michelangelo’s David, in the Accademia Gallery. The masterpiece depicts the Biblical figure David, and came to represent the defense of the city, threatened from every direction by more powerful rival states – just as David stood to fight the stronger Goliath in the Book of Samuel, declining the armor offered to him by Saul. David prevails, killing Goliath with his sling and a stone – and by his bravery it is him, rather than Saul, who is fit to be King of the Israelites.

The beauty and magnificence of Florence is something that’s essence is lamentably lost from many places in the world today, and from modern art, architecture, and our humanity itself, amongst other things. Perhaps, where we have strayed and uprooted this essence, it would be desirable to sow it once again – to cultivate a world of greater works and harmony.