Sunday,
March 18, 2007
The
ANNOTICO Report
Sweethearts in
the Italian capital have adopted a new ritual as a symbol of undying love:
hanging a padlock on a lamppost on the city's most ancient bridge, "Ponte Milvio", and throwing the key into the
"Ponte
Milvio", has seen more war than love since it
was built in the second century BC, having served as the battlefield
between rival emperors Constantine and Maxentius in
312; and it was the backdrop of the Italians' struggle for independence in the
1800s.
Today the
pedestrian bridge is near the Olympic stadium a soccer battleground north of the city's historical centre.
The idea of the
love locks is not new in
Thanks
to Pat Gabriel
"Locks
of Love" Craze has
Youths read love
locks smothering a Ponte Milvio bridge lamppost.
(Photo on original Web Site)
The
Age,
From
Associated Press
IN
Sweethearts in
the Italian capital have adopted a new ritual as a symbol of undying love:
hanging a padlock on a lamppost on the city's most ancient bridge and throwing
the key into the
The craze has
drawn hundreds of couples in the few months since it started, causing city
officials to wonder whether the ancient Roman bridge
is suited for such an overwhelming display of passions.
"The rite
has reached a dimension that will be difficult to cope with. We must guarantee
the bridge's decency while preserving this beautiful practice," said Marco
Perina, a city official.
Some couples
write their names or a message on the lock. They throw the key into the river
over their shoulders to avoid seeing where it falls.
It's quite a
change of scenery for a bridge that has seen more war than love since it was
built in the second century BC. Ponte Milvio served
as the battlefield between rival emperors Constantine and Maxentius
in 312; and it was the backdrop of the Italians' struggle for independence in
the 1800s.
Today the
pedestrian bridge is near the Olympic stadium a soccer battleground north of the city's historical centre.
The idea of the
love locks is not new in
The padlock
ritual has spilled into a music video and inspired a prize, The Golden Padlock,
awarded to the best love message on Valentine's Day. It has started drawing
tourists to an area that is usually off the beaten track.
Such huge
attention also caused some undesired consequences.
Hundreds of locks
were stolen last week although they were found the following day and are to be
put back in a ceremony expected to draw the city's mayor. A check ordered by
city officials showed the locks posed no threat to the stability of the
lamppost. But officials are looking for an alternative site amid fears the
bridge may be damaged. One possibility is to put up a "lovers'
lamppost" in a square near the bridge.
"We want to
keep this tradition alive. It's becoming like tossing a coin in the Trevi fountain," said Perina.
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