The state on the Apennine Peninsula, which has become a worthy successor to the traditions of the Ancient Roman Empire, is today the most popular tourist destination not only in Europe, but throughout the world. The history of Italian culture is an amazing process of the formation and development of the best areas of activity of the most talented representatives of humanity.
Time of the great Renaissance
Ancient Rome with its majestic structures remained in the memory of descendants of the ruins of the Forum Romanum in the capital of Italy, the huge arches of the Colosseum, aqueducts and baths of Caracalla. Every year millions of tourists come to the ruins of the once mighty empire to see with their own eyes pictures from the pages of history books and school textbooks.
Italy revived and began a path to new glory during the Renaissance, when progressive leaders came to power, welcoming and supporting artists, poets, sculptors and architects. The Renaissance period gives the world many glorious names, including Dante and Giotto. The Divine Comedy, written by Dante Alighieri in the 13th century, still serves as a monument to an era when feelings were not shy to express openly.
Art critics consider Giotto's work to be the source that brought living water to the culture of Italy. His frescoes are an expression of human dignity, spirituality in the name of rebirth and love. The artist was the first to introduce the manner of volumetric writing into the canons of painting and began modeling with chiaroscuro, creating a three-dimensional space.
Leonardo's code and Raphael's harmony
The greatest Italian master of painting is revered by Leonardo da Vinci, whose portrait of Mona Lisa has been the undisputed decoration of the Louvre for many decades. The picture seems to be endowed with special magical powers, and dozens of art critics around the world cannot unravel the secret of Leonardo's success. His work is a kind of code left to the culture of Italy for future generations.
Raphael Santi is considered the bearer of harmony. He brought a special beauty to art, and his paintings are distinguished by a unique sublimity and purity. Raphael's "Sistine Madonna" is an example of the most perfect beauty that painters have created at all times.
Constellation of cities
Going on a trip to the Apennine Peninsula, one cannot but look into Venice and Florence, which are home to the most significant architectural monuments in Europe. The culture of Italy is both the songs of the gondoliers and the magical colors of the Venetian Piazza San Marco, where the Doge's Palace shines with an openwork precious pearl. You can also spend hours wandering the streets of Pisa, worrying about the fate of the famous tower, or watch couples in love make wishes under Juliet's balcony in Verona.
