Italy: A Living Masterpiece

Italy. The name is even gorgeous; as if the country’s boundless beauty kissing every hill and street was not enough. This past March my parents, my brother, and I embarked on an oversea adventure. Upon arrival in Rome, not only did the cigarette smoke and the hustling of the busy city make my head spin, but the language did as well. Every syllable of the Italian language is absolutely delectable. The way the speaker’s lips curl then explode with nearly every word is intriguing in itself. Ten days overflowing with enthralling culture, art, and history.

â–º  Quarter Finalist 2011 Teen Travel Writing Scholarship

     Like all tourists, we visited the most brilliant cites of art and history the world has to offer, the Colosseum being the first. Standing in the shadow of this monstrous framework, I, along with hundreds of others, could not wait to discover what was hidden behind the archaic, stone walls. Venturing inside, I began to trace my fingers along the cracks and carvings; I was standing where innumerable people have stood, where countless will never stand. I was in the place where thousands were slaughtered, and where several became victorious. What were their final thoughts? Did they think they would be remembered?

     Extraordinarily, we craved more. We then traveled to Florence, which is about two hours from Rome when transported by the Euro rail. Florence is abundant with the most genial people one could imagine. Lining the narrow and rugged, cobblestone streets are markets and stores galore. Leather is a major industry there, with stores selling the finest Florentine leather jackets, wallets, and purses. Inside the food market were woven baskets with large heaps of spices, pastas, and herbs. The scents Coriander, Basil, and Oregano, filled my nostrils and my mouth began to water. Unfortunately, my vicious appetite quickly disintegrated into nothing for unmentionable animal remains were on display right next to those baskets.

After feeling slight nausea and scurrying out of the market, we ventured to the Accademia Gallery, the humble abode of one of Michelangelo’s most famous masterpieces – the Statue of David. From the moment we stepped through the doors of that museum, the search for David began. Finally, we turned down a long, illuminated corridor, and there it stood. Perching majestically on a column and basking in the sunlight that danced through the glass dome above, David was the centerpiece of all admiration. The Statue of David is seventeen feet tall, sculpted from carrara marble, and fashioned after the hero David in the Bible. Although it was built between 1501 and 1504, it looked utterly pristine. Neither blemishes nor chips were found. Obtaining the most divinely sculpted physique and a harmonious array of veins and muscles, it captured everyone's attention. One could also speculate the neatly engraved grooves in David’s hair and on his hands, making him look even more human.

     The Vatican Museum was our next ambition. Profuse amounts of history are embedded in the walls of this four-mile tourist attraction. One could spend days meandering aimlessly through the tiled halls of this massive edifice. After a couple hours of observation, inspiration, and even skepticism, we managed to navigate through the incessantly confusing, art-encrusted chambers and discovered the world renowned masterpiece- the Sistine Chapel. Everyone underneath the painted canopy was awe-struck. How could anyone possibly create such a phenomenal arrangement of brush strokes? Ornately designed by hand, Michelangelo achieved adoration from the world, again.

     Italy is a masterpiece of its own. The enchanting culture, history, and people are all strokes of impeccable beauty painted onto the country’s canvas. No words could properly express the brilliancy and marvel I unveiled in Italy.