Chapter 623: The New Constantinople
"Beauty: the adjustment of all parts proportionately so that one cannot add or subtract or change without impairing the harmony of the whole."
- Leon Battista Alberti
"Lord Miralai," Leon greeted, clasping Abdullah’s hands in a gesture of mutual respect. "It’s truly an honour to meet you. Your written works have long been a source of inspiration for me."
Abdullah looked pleasantly surprised. "You’ve read my writings?"
Leon replied with a knowing smile, "Indeed, Lord Miralai. Your insights into the nuances of diplomacy and trade have been invaluable in my duties under His Holiness."
"Your kind words are appreciated, Holy Emissary," Abdullah said, ushering Leon toward a waiting chariot. As they climbed in, he drew the curtains to shield them from the ongoing construction. "My apologies for the inconvenience, Holy Emissary. As you can see, the city is undergoing significant renovations."
Leon waved off the apology with a gracious smile. "Understandable, Lord Miralai. Officially, I’m here to bridge the rift between the Catholic Church and the Ecumenical Patriarch."
Abdullah sighed, "That might prove challenging. The true barriers to reconciliation aren’t just the church officials but the very people of Rome themselves, for the hatred between the two people have been ongoing for thousands of years, and the idea of dispute is already part of the Roman tradition."
Leon leaned in slightly, lowering his voice, "I know, your Highness... And that’s why, apart from my official duties, I’m also here on a personal mission. I’ve always been fascinated by the architectural marvels and rich history of Constantinople, and I have been as an architect consultant of the Pope himself, participating in the city building and planning of numerous cities in northern Italia..."
A light of realisation dawned in Abdullah’s eyes. "To the palace!" he instructed the charioteer suddenly, leaving Leon slightly puzzled.
...
Leon was soon ushered into an opulent hall, coming face to face with Antonius De’ Ricci, the soon-to-be Emperor. "Ambassador Alberti, it’s an honour!" Antonius exclaimed, enveloping Leon in a hearty embrace.
"I’m equally honoured, Your Majesty," Leon started, reaching for the Papal Bull he’d brought. But Antonius, seemingly uninterested in formalities, quickly interrupted.
"I’m well acquainted with your works, Ambassador. In my days as a trader sailing between Genoa and the Aegean, I heard tales of your architectural prowess in Florence and Mantua."
Leon tried to steer the conversation back to his diplomatic mission, but Antonius had other plans. "I understand you’re keen on studying the architectural wonders of our city?" he queried excitedly, leading Leon into a room brimming with bustling people, sketches, and plans. "We could use an expert touch. Our reconstruction efforts require the insights of someone with your calibre, it is a shame for me to mention this, but till this day, the Romans have almost lost their capabilities in large scale architectural planning and construction due to the centuries of exhausting battles."
Inside the room, various officials bustled around, and in one corner sat Alexios, the man in charge of the treasury, looking quite overwhelmed by the enormity of the tasks ahead, while occasionally arguing with another man covered in dust.
Antonius cleared his throat, a signal that resonated through the room, hushing the murmurs and immediately capturing everyone’s attention. He stood upright, the weight of his responsibilities evident in his posture, and turned his gaze to Leon.
"In mere months, I intend to ascend to the throne in a coronation that will mark a new dawn for our empire," he began, his voice echoing a blend of determination and pride. "However, our beloved city, the heart of our empire, lies in ruins. The Palace of the Blachernae, steeped in history, now seems inadequate to accommodate the anticipated grandeur of the forthcoming event."
He paused momentarily, surveying the room before continuing. "Additionally, with the intention of revitalising our city, I’ve set in motion plans to relocate three thousand households here. This mammoth task encompasses clearing the rubble, reconstructing residential zones, reviving our ports, and restoring our ancient markets to their former glory."
Leon gulped as he looked at the meters long scratch of the city’s planning being spread over the gigantic table.
The vision was ambitious, and its potential grandeur was palpable.
"...But, just as mentioned, you see, your Holiness, we have a plan, a decent plan, and lots of money, but do you know what is the only thing that we lacks?"
He tapped his temple, "Knowledge. Talent. Decades of war and turmoil have driven scholars and talents away from Constantinople to the West, leaving us bereft of expertise in numerous fields, particularly in this case, urban planning and architecture."
He paused, letting the weight of the situation sink in. "So, Lord Alberti, I present to you an invitation, a challenge even. Stay with us. Dive deep into our archives, traverse our city, and harness its potential. As a token of our gratitude, I offer you the esteemed title of ’Vestiarios’ and compensation fitting your stature. Yet, more than just a title or gold, we seek your unmatched expertise and vision. Would you consider teaching at our university, guiding the next generation of architects and visionaries? Can we entrust you with this mantle?"
Leon Battista Alberti gulped, knowing that the course of his visit has went to a totally different course than what he has thought.
"Ponder on this unique opportunity, Holy Emissary. This isn’t just any city; it’s Constantinople. Your influence here would be monumental, marking a significant Chapter in its rich tapestry. Just imagine - your name, your legacy, forever intertwined with the rebirth of this ancient metropolis. The future would revere your contributions, your innovations would inspire countless generations, you shall be known as the ’Re-creator of Constantinople’."
Leon Battista Alberti is touched as he nodded his head slightly with sweat flowing down his cheeks.
For a scholar, a renowned scholar like him who have been already engaged with various Dukes and lords of Italia, he does not need money, he does not need titles, instead he needs a true platform to perform his talents, and his name to never be forgotten in the future. There is no better stage than the city of Constantinople to accomplish his goals.
Leon, with a keen architect’s eye and a scholar’s depth of understanding, began dissecting the city’s plan. "Your Majesty," he started with a note of respect but with firm confidence in his voice, "this magnificent city, though aged, has inherent architectural genius from its founders."
He pointed out a section of the city on the map, "The Pagan Romans, despite their beliefs, were ahead of their time in terms of urban planning. Their sewage systems were revolutionary. Our new plans need to integrate these rather than bypassing them. An elevation here," he pointed at the heart of the city on the map, "will prevent this entire residential quadrant from potential floods during heavy rainfalls."
He then moved to the Great Palace, "Its historical and architectural importance is unparalleled. The Hippodrome’s restoration is vital, but it’s equally crucial to protect its surrounding environs from scavengers. Marbles, intricate carvings, and other invaluable materials are being removed without understanding their worth. A stringent policy against such acts is essential."
As he shifted his gaze to the Harbor of Julian, he noted, "Demolishing Sea walls isn’t necessary. The focus should rather be on reviving the more active trading hubs. Commerce, if directed efficiently, will organically bring prosperity."
His fingers then trailed to the open spaces. "The Hippodrome and the Messe of Milion, with slight modifications, can hold grand parades. It’s not just about space but also the history these grounds have witnessed. They echo the grandeur of past eras."
Then, touching the area near the Hagia Sophia, he remarked, "The Forum of Augustaton needs refurbishment. And the Hagia Sophia, the heart of our spiritual realm, requires meticulous cleaning and restoration. Its domes, its mosaics – they should shine as beacons of our renewed spirit."
Alexios seems to like this guy more and more as he scraped one after another building projects that are a waste of resources and offered his suggestions in cutting the expense of the projects.
"Your Majesty, I have to say... that completing this project, requires several phases, with each phase taking around five years, looking at the manpower we have available now. I have to advice you that if you want to hold a grand coronation, I suggest you do it in somewhere else – like Thessaloniki."
"Thank you for your earnest suggestion." Antonius looked into the eyes of the architect in his fifties. "But it must be done in Constantinople – no matter what the cost, and it must do this year, in October. If I coronated in Thessaloniki, people will start questioning if I am about to succeed the title and weight of the Roman Empire, or do I just wish to be a despot enjoying the luxury of Thessaloniki. I will give you whatever resources you need, the coronation will take place in Hagia Sophia, so use whatever you can – to recover the city back into its former glories."
Leon sighed and nodded.
Abdullah at the side gave a pat of apologies.
