9th September 1820
Alright! I have just gotten a letter from my
brother, you know… The king… He heard that so many people crave seeing another
act of my drama so… Ok! I can make dreams come true! I will sit down by the
table soon and write another part. I think I already have an idea for it… Let’s
make it a Pamphlet for Men. It is going to be about 4 kinds of men – Don Juan
(a selfish seducer and heartbreaker), Tristan (a man who cares about his lover
too), Jesus from Nazareth (it may sound not proper, but it is all about this
kind of love that cares more about giving than taking) and bonus from me –
Romeo (a BOY who makes everything end faster than it starts).
Ok, so you know now, my dear diary… It is a
secret so do not tell anyone! Even my William does not know yet!
Let me come back to my storytelling now. Another
place I have seen lately is Paestum… I will say more and probably end the
English and Scottish chapter the next time…
So Paestum is a city-colony founded by Dorians in
7th century B.C. It is ruins
in Italy today. And that is what I saw – ruins of temples, defensive walls etc.
There used to be 10 sanctuaries, but it is only three today. Why so many sacral
buildings Ancient Greek used to build? They were deeply religious? Nope. It is
nothing but Greek need of beauty. This way they felt different and strong
around other cultures. Such a temple on hill was like a flag hit in the
ground.
This city was conquered by another nation, I
cannot remember the name, and Romans come in the end. Their collaboration was
not too hard. But then punishment from Poseidon they got, their patron –
changed riverbed brought malaria.
In Middle Ages Paestum became a little Christian
city where old temples have become churches (I mean Demeter’s sanctuary). That
is also time when Saracens make habitants leave this place forever.
Not a long ago those three temples have been
discovered – basilica, Poseidon’s (actually Hera’s, the youngest and the best
state) and Demeter’s (actually Athena’s) sanctuaries.
How did it feel to be there? Well, these
buildings seem to be smaller live. This style of architecture is quite raw,
simple, wild, dangerous, and elegant. These temples may seem heavy but now there
is nothing but sky above columns and its pillows where stars sleep… Everything
made of sandstone. Stairs make you throw your legs high.
Such Ancient temples were not made for average
people to go there and pray. Only priests could go inside. The area in front of
building was the place meant for people. Altars can be found on the outside.
That is why ancient architecture must be wow only on the surface. And each building
was built in a different time so Doric style also appears here in three
different versions.
When sun sets you realize that Greek architecture
have come from above – shadows create right angles on walls. So, this is how it
all was made. But it is not all – this style also symbolizes perfect man’s body.
Well, I can pretty much agree with that because I have two children….
NEVERMIND.
Other cultures influences are also important. Mycenaean
palace chambers find its continuation in these sanctuaries. It is remarkably
interesting because those palaces were made of wood while sandstone made it
survive somehow… Is it not fascinating?
Ah, it is all so beautiful indeed… But we also
must remember about blood of poor who worked hard on creating these wonders of
human hands. I am fairly sure not one victim it takes…
Few words about the meaning of stone. Yes, it
symbolises something too and that something is… human. Stone is connected to
human beings. It was believed that people were descendants of stones. I am not
kidding. Stone even smells like a mankind… Also, stone was used to fortune
telling. And when a stone loses water, it loses a soul. Ah I love all these things
I learned about in Paestum…
When I looked at those ruins, one of things that
surprised me the most is… it seemed to be made of one huge stone. Greek knew
like nobody else how to put pieces back together. And it is not all – they
could build such temples super-fast! And they never made mistakes! I mean
improving was exceedingly rare.
Symmetry and harmony. This is it.
Temples in the middle of city and old good Roman
roads around. And everything used to be so colourful (bright red, blue, ochre).
But the truth is that during a day stones change colours anyway – sometimes it seems
grey, sometimes orange, at the end of day even red. Sun is amazing, is it not?
Ok, that is all I wanted to say about Paestum…
Now I have just reminded myself that I forgot to mention another news… I need
some shopping in my life… Me and William decided to buy few new furniture – table
piano and mitral. When we decide to come home, we will take these new pieces
with us. Oh, I can imagine how pretty it will look in our palace…
Bien, that is all for today, Ciao.
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