Local sweethearts chain their love padlocks around a lamp post on the “lungomare”, a tradition revived a few years ago by the movie “Ho voglia di te” (I Want You).In the movie, which is set in Rome, the two lovers use a lamp post on the Ponte Milvio (Wikipedia image).
In time they got so many imitators that at least a couple of lamp posts crumbled under the weight of chains and padlocks.
See also: “In Rome, a New Ritual on an Old Bridge” (The New York Times) - Rust Never Sleeps
25 comments:
I think it's quite sweet. All movies set in Italy are romantic.
Rusty romance!
It's a nice custom, I saw somthing similar in Riga, but it wasn't lamp they use but cast-iron balustrade of the little bridge.
Fascinating, I've never heard of "locking up love" :) - makes a lot of sense in a time where marking trees and writing on walls is not appropriate. I like the Comune di Livorno imprint - well done.
In your NYT link I found this photo of locks for sale< - fun photo of a business-minded spirit.
try one more time:Locks for sale
It's fascinating when a contemporary phenomenon such as a movie can reignite an old tradition.
:-)
@ Ciel - Salt-laden sea air takes its toll...
@ Tash - A couple of years ago, in Rome, less honest souls harvested locks and chains selling them as scrap iron. Carabinieri recovered everything.
How romantic is that?!
I had heard of this padlocks "love" but never seen it actually. Thanks for showing it on a nicely framed picture
Such a great tradition. Do they keep an extra key, just in case?
Interesting post.
Interesting. I've never heard of this custom before. I hope the sweethearts don't destroy too many lamp posts!
Ciel's comment is so funny!
But this is just plain funny for sure. I'd never heard of the tradition.
What a great picture!
Amazing! This is a great photo - I must research this. Are there many of these around town?
-Nancy
Hahaha at B Squared :).
I saw about Locks of Love, too, last year in Osaka. You can buy the lock for less than 1000Yen, I guess. Quite cheap for locking love. They were kept on the top floor of Sky Building.
Hi, VP, very different photo with those you showed us before.
I've seen this on the bridges in Merano.
Very romantic:) I see something similar in Riga. But I am wondering why padlocks?
too much padlocks!
Interesting story and such a variety of locks as there is people who lock them. I hope they rust off before the beautiful lamppost falls over.
A very nice tradition, but it seems a bit harsh on the lamppost :-)
Cool tradition. I will have to check out that movie.
Oh, cool! Love your pictures (in general I mean ;)
I love your padlocks photo. There is a sculpture/artist's installation here in Tampa, Flroida that is covered in individual keys. I'll have to look closer at it. Perhaps I've found all the keys to your locks.
I have never heard of this tradition. Funny!
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