The square-faced blocks of Rome’s traditional, stone paving are generally laid on the diagonal with wide joints between the setts. My eye was first caught by the pink grids of fallen petals caught in the cracks below an avenue of Judas trees. Then I started noticing the signatures of other plants around the city. Here’s a sample.
(Click on any square to view the gallery)
Although the square faces suggest cube-shaped stones like those of Paris – handy missiles for riots and revolutions – the traditional paving in Rome appears to be made up of rectangular blocks, slightly tapered along the length. Hammered into place on a sand base, the lower ends wedge firmly together, leaving an open grid of joints in the road surface. Where the sand infill has worn away the cracks fill up with passing debris and seedling plants. Each street has its own, changing signature.
April 11, 2016 at 11:59 am
Wow, what an original and creative idea for a collection! We are just about to pick blocks of some sort for our garden and wish the grass to grow between them. And just yesterday I was clicking my (too high) heels for about 5 km around Appia Antica and its various sized stones. And I was marvelling at the colours of buildings, once again, and thought of your post. And took 246 photos. :p
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April 11, 2016 at 12:05 pm
Good luck with your paving!
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April 11, 2016 at 1:44 pm
A lovely idea. Beautiful.
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April 11, 2016 at 1:44 pm
Thanks!
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April 11, 2016 at 4:54 pm
Wow these are beautiful. Love the concept
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April 11, 2016 at 5:02 pm
I’m glad you like them!
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