29 June 2007

Love is in the air

There’s a trend which started off on Ponte Vecchio where the young and in love would lock a padlock to the bridge then throw the key into the Arno as a way of sealing their undying love. The authorities put an end to this as there were just too many padlocks causing a strain on parts of the bridge. There’s now a 50 euro fine if you’re caught leaving a lock.

The making of a film (Ho Voglia di Te) caused the trend to move downwards to Rome where the film was made. Again too many people in love meant that had to be stopped too.

Now it seems that the trend has arrived as far south as Napoli. Whilst down on the lungomare a few weeks ago I noticed that people have started attaching padlocks to a lamppost as a sign of eternal locked and bolted Neapolitan love.


Then, last week in Parco Virgiliano I saw a few padlocks locked to a fence overlooking the sea...


So there's either a lot of lovin' going on in Naples or a lot of bikes have been nicked. Both possible. Though it's not much of a bike riding city.

16 comments:

Giulia said...

I once went to Mergellina and there was a whole lota luvin going on in one of the side streets. I didn't see one single padlock around though! lol

My anniversary is coming up very soon. Maybe I will come on over to Naples and put up a padlock. :)

Marmite Breath said...

What a lovely idea. Maybe some enterprising Neapolitan can come up with a way to make money out of this phenomenon. Actually, Neapolitans might be too romantic to think about money. An American might manage it though.

(any generalizations here are a joke, please, nobody shoot me)

Delina said...

Do come and put a padlock to a lamp-post Giulia!

Marmite, I wouldn't be surprised if soon I see a (neapolitan) padlock seller down there. "Padlocks for a euro" etc.

Karen said...

Yes, then they'd put the padlock in a box, switch it and hand over one with a rock in it. Sorry, I couldn't resist. (My husband alleges that that sort of thing actually happens.)

I like the photo with the two padlocks, it's sweet.

Anonymous said...

:)))) Kc, si succedono ancora oggi!!!!

Anonymous said...

Delina.. sembra essere la moda del momento in Italia (in generale: anche a Venezia, Torino e tantissime altre città).
Il fatto è che questi "catenacci", col tempo si arrugginiscono (come l'amore? :))... ed in certi posti (come la foto che hai allegato del virgiliano) sinceramente.. preferirei non vederli :)
Non ho nulla contro le manifestazioni d'amore ma è come quel "qualcuno" che ha scritto "TI AMO" sulla parete di una famosa chiesa qui a Napoli.. che era stata da poco restarurata! :)

Delina said...

KC your husband is right, it does happen! I think it's mainly around the central station and with obvious tourists.

Pushing 10 years ago (when I was a tourist really) I bought a block of cigarettes for someone and when I got home I saw there was only polystyrene in the box! I've wised up much more since those days ;)

all over the map said...

It's a sweet geesture but too bad it causes concern for structures. They have a place in China as well where poeple leave a padlock way up on a walk to a high mountain. A friend of mine was engaged on that walk; sort of an appropriate romantic spot. :)
Thanks for popping by my place.

Delina said...

Cheeky, I just tried to Google about the padlock mountain in China, but I only got made in China padlock sites :D

Kataroma said...

Soo...have you and your husband done the padlock thing? ;)

Delina said...

Kata, me and the OH (as in boyfriend, not yet husband) haven't done the padlock thing, no :)

Nadine said...

Only in Italy. Too funny.

Anonymous said...

Nadine, sembra che anche in Cina succeda ;)

Alyson said...

They are still attaching the padlocks here! I laughed when I read your post - we were walking down the Arno today and someone had stuck one on a metal post just anywhere! The other bridges are getting them now as well. They just pop up all over the place! Bizzare!!

The original reason for doing it doesn't seem to have significance now.

BecsLifeOnline said...

If I saw that where I lived, it would definitely be because some bikes had been nicked lol.

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