Timeless Cities: An Architect's Reflections on Renaissance Italy

The idealistic author argues that cities require a predetermined purpose, a self-image that will be transcribed in its development through time. Conversely, a city's architecture and layout embody its memory and reveal its true nature. To illustrate this, the author discusses at some length the pre-18th century development of Rome, Venice, Florence, Sienna and Pienza. Needless to say, the approach is highly intellectual. The author for instance draws various conclusions from the «architectural pun» created in ancient Rome by the construction, back to back, of a temple to Venus, goddess of love (AMOR in Latin) and a temple to the city per se (ROMA in Latin). In Venice, he likens all of piazza San Marco to an open-air church _ the Basilica acting as the sanctuary _ whereas the shape of Sienna's Campo is described as an analogy to the Virgin's protective cloak. This requires of course on the reader's part a good prior knowledge of the cities discussed and the book would in fact definitely benefit by being more systematic and extensive. Unfortunately, illustrations are in black and white and not up to par with what is now expected for such a topic. Even the image on the cover page is strangely unappealing! Despite these shortcomings, many planners and city-lovers in general will find this book worthwhile.

Mr. Mayernik transports the reader to the glorious past of Rome, Venice, Florence, Siena, and Pienza; a past in which city builders sought to make their cities into reflections of the perfect heavenly City of God; a past in which every stone, every building, every piazza was an episode of the larger urban narrative that played itself for its citizens as a great "theatre of the mind." Mr. Mayernik's writing allows us to view the urban mythologies of these places not as History, events frozen in by gone times and no longer capable of speaking to present generations, but as living lessons in city building; he invites his audience to learn the 'language' of these five cities so that we too can build memorable places.

Timeless Cities is indeed a wonderful journey, a voyage across time and ideas. The author tells a poetic, scholarly and delightful story of five Italian cities and how they became meaningful and memorable places, remaining so to this day.For those who have experienced the magical, transforming impact Rome, Florence, Venice, Siena and Pienza have on their visitors, David Mayernik unlocks the richly poetic ideas which are their very essence. An architect and traveler, his writing is filled with the passion of one who truly loves and understands the tradition of those great cities: the tradition of humanism.For all for whom life is, above all, a cherished series of discoveries and experiences, Mayernik extends a masterful invitation to explore those places which stir our souls and which demonstrate the highest fulfillment of our collective potential for cultural and artistic achievement. He then challenges us to again seek to create cities "through which dance the Muses", cities which are "built Ideas suffused with cultural Memory". Accept his gracious invitation. It is a journey you will treasure.