I like things to be on a human scale. When I enter a magnificent church, I am not reminded of the glory of God (well I wouldn't be would I?), and of the insignificence of human life. Quite the opposite: I marvel at human endeavour and ingenuity throughout the ages. Why do people ask "Is this all there is?" What more do they want? The amazingly rich variety of human life and culture over the millennia since we started to think and talk, plus the wonders of the rest of the universe, should be enough for anyone methinks.
So what is this all about? I am trying to analyse why I hated the Sistine Chapel (artistic as well as religious blasphemy I fear), St Peter's Basilica, and the vast and vulgar piazza outside it, where a funny little man comes out every so often and thousands of people fall to their knees in awe. And on the other hand, why did I love the original Benedictine monastery at Subiaco, and all these charming little hill towns we have been visiting?
It's partly to do with scale- it's a lot easier to appreciate something that is your sort of size, but it is also to do with intent. I believe that much of Renaissance architecture and art was intended and designed to aggrandise both the rich and powerful and the Church which in turn bolstered and legitimised their power. At the same time it is meant to make ordinary people feel little and insignificant.
Anyway, be that as it may, here are some pics of some of the lovely little towns we have encountered in our travels, so many and so picturesque that they tend to merg in the mind, hence the title of this blog.
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