One thing that has stood out to me while living in Rome is the historical significance of architecture and its purpose in being preserved. Unlike the United States, (Chicago specifically being the city I’m most familiar with) many of the buildings and ruins in Rome date back thousands of years and have amazing craftsmanship and detail that serve a purpose far beyond functionality. This is awe-inspiring to me as I have been disappointed with a lot of modern architecture in the US, where the main goal is to be as cost-effective as possible with no emphasis on the human spirit. In Rome, I have felt quite the opposite when looking at the architecture. Things here have been built to impress and built to last. I think it says a lot about the humans who lived here and the value they placed on showing their skills and knowledge through architectural landmarks that long outlived them. While the buildings here are still built with the main goal being functionality, there is something far more emotional about the use of design and the use of materials involved that elicit a deeper sense of appreciation. Many buildings have a sense of grandeur that is unmatched by the architecture I have seen elsewhere in the world. This is especially impressive in the ancient buildings since they have been able to stand the test of time through various natural disasters. There are also many impressive buildings in Rome that have been built recently, showing that architects here still hold the values of ancient Romans in creating buildings that are both functional and extremely impressive to look at. Roman architecture has continued to evolve and adapt to modern needs while retaining the durability and craftsmanship that characterized ancient Roman architecture and made it so impressive. This relates to my cultural values and engagement with the country because every time I go for a walk, I am constantly analyzing the different architectural styles and forming thoughts around this. It is a very emotional experience seeing such beautiful buildings and sometimes equally as fascinating to see ones that I do not find appealing.
