Nestled comfortably along the northern Italian mountainside that is home to century’s old villas, lie construction cranes that add a peculiar shape to the horizon. Construction, an indicator of a quickly modernizing country, seems to be everywhere I go in Italy. In a place that offers a true taste of history at the turn of every street, the signs of industrialization are more noticeable than in younger, more modern countries like the United States. In countries known for their more modernized cities, construction sites and big sky scrapers blend in easily.
During the week and a half that I have been in Italy, it has become clear to me that the landscape in the country is changing. This past weekend, I ventured off from my residence in Florence to Como and Milan. All three cities, although extremely different, share similarities that are hard to ignore. Modernization is on the rise, and it is very prominent.
During my visit to Como, I went on a ferryboat that took the group on a 2-hour-long ride along the beautiful northern Italian lake. The mountainside villas were a view of their own, but as I tried to take pictures of the mountains and towns, I found myself waiting until the ferry had passed areas where cranes were not visible. I found myself deleting pictures that were ruined by unnatural-looking steel rods. This happened quite a few times on my ride, and the question came to me: Are the inhabitants of these lakeside homes also bothered by construction obstructing their view?
Luis Penzi, a Como native, says yes.
“These cranes you see along Lake Como are nothing compared to what is to come. Within the next 50 years, money-hungry investors will prop up hotels and mansions along the mountains,” says Penzi.
The 30 year old is worried about the future, not only because the modernization would take away from the historic views, but also because of the environment.
“Building on the side of a mountain is known to cause erosion, and it would be a shame to see such beautiful towns ruined because of reckless construction that is driven by money hungry individuals. Italy’s history should be something of value, not something that is overshadowed by some actions of capitalism,” he says.
Although construction could bring about some obvious and worthwhile benefits, like reinforcing weak infrastructure and bringing about economic growth, the locals seem to have a point. Dodging construction cranes in Lake Como is not necessarily a pleasant experience for a tourist, and actually takes away from the “nature” experience one would expect from a ferryboat ride.
Things feel different in Milan. The juxtaposition of modern skyscrapers and huge cathedrals over 500 years old was quite shocking, but for some reason, felt normal. Some parts of the city make you feel as though you are walking through 15th century Italy, and other parts hold a modern New York City vibe. Milan is historically a fashion-forward city, and the feeling I get from seeing the modernization and continued construction feels almost expected. It is a city that keeps up with the trends, and unlike in the towns along Lake Como, the skyscrapers have simply written themselves into Milan’s history book.
Alex Xi, a tourist visiting Milan for its popular fashion scene, loves the look of old buildings and new buildings next to each other. “There is something great that comes from being able to visit a place where you can turn one corner and experience a beautiful modern building, and turn the next corner and experience a structure from centuries ago,” he said.
Xi loves taking pictures, and says that construction in Italy does not bother him one bit.
“When I choose places to travel to for pictures, I usually have to choose between cities that are dominated by old structures or new structures. It is either mostly history, or mostly modern architecture. Milan offers both, and I think that is a smart and successful choice by the city planners,” he said.
Back in Florence, I became hyper aware of the city I am living in for a month. The home of the Renaissance Period, Florence is home to artists like Michaelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Sandro Botticelli. The city’s architecture is very much part of the art that makes Florence a wonder to its people and to tourists. The Duomo, Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, and Palazzo Vecchio are just some of the city’s most famous architectural sites.
Seeing construction cranes on my way to class was not quite what I envisioned when I imagined studying abroad in this relatively small town. The sights are still beautiful, but visiting noteworthy places like the Uffizi Gallery and Pitti Palace and having construction cranes obstruct my view was not necessarily the view I was hoping for.
A small convenience store owner that goes by the name Sunny says “Florence could use some remodeling, the world is growing and the city should grow along with it. Just because Florence is home to ancient art work does not mean it should stay ancient.”
Sunny has been living in Florence for 10 years now, and says that even small additions to buildings is like experiencing the evolution of an iconic city. It is like being a part of history.
“It is an honor to live in Florence, and it is an even greater honor to watch it continue to grow,” he says. In the city where the Renaissance was born, it is no surprise to some that its architectural landscape continues to evolve.
Just like we admire the architecture of structures from hundreds to thousands of years ago, future generations will enjoy architecture from the 21st century. History is all about appreciating what has been established, but also about how it is being written. One can marvel in the beauty of experiencing new things being built in towns that hold such grace in its buildings, or wish for the city to be preserved in its centuries-old style. When it comes down to it, it really is a matter of preference.
