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On many bridges around the world ‘love locks’ have appeared, then disappeared only to appear again. Over the past six years, lovers from around the globe, have been fixing ‘love padlocks’ to some of our most beautiful and ancient bridges. But now Rome has decided that enough is enough.
The origin of the ‘love padlocks’ is unknown but the craze started in 2006, following the release of “I Want You” a book by Frederico Moccia. Initially, officials in Rome set up lampposts so that would be lovers, wanting to relive the plot of the book, could fix their locks.
When the weight of the padlocks threatened Ponte Milvio, officials had to step in. Their goal was to save the bridge, build it 206 BC, from further damage. In 2007, a 50 euro fine was put in place to deter lovers from fixing their locks, but to no avail. This week the padlocks where removed from the bridge.
This is done, to preserve the bridge, as the weight of the locks is damaging it's stability. The bridge will be guarded to ensure that the locks don’t reappear, as they did in Paris.
Before fixing the locks lovers write their initials on the locks, symbolizing that they'll be locked in love forever. Local Parisians felt it was an affront on love to be locked together. Shouldn’t love be free to flow rather than being locked up? In Florence, the locks are now banned from the Ponte Vecchio, as it's considered to be both a threat to the bridge, as well as unsightly.
Are lovers just being swept away in a fleet of fancy? “Is it, a statement of love or is it vandalism?” I am a lover of all things love, I am a champion for love. But I have to wonder if the locks are threatening some of our most valuable landmarks, isn’t there a better way to show our love.
It would be devastating to think that these beautiful bridges and monuments could be damaged forever, in the name of love. Love, in its purest form, would surely say that love shouldn't cause damage, love shouldn't cause harm and love is sensitive to the needs of others.
This craze seems set to continue around the world and in Rome. It's reported, locks are now turning up at the Trevi Fountain with the keys being tossed into the fountain as a symbol of everlasting love.
Only time will show the impact of the love padlocks around the world, but I wonder how will it be judged over time, as a statement of love or vandalism.
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I'm not sure that it will Shawn, it started 7 years ago and still seems to be going strong.
Yes Joan it is happening all over the world, they are being called "Love Scapes". There are also several in the US in Sedona, Las Vegas, New york, Florida. Looks like it is a 'movement' that will be hard to stop now! I also opt for candlelight and a glass of wine. My parents have been married for over 50 years and they didn't need a lock! Gayle
I thought it was romantic until I saw the photos....no very good to look at. I wouldn't want to walk past it everyday either. Gayle
I think I saw something like this on an episode of "The Bachelorette" where they both wrote their initials on a lock and then locked it in place. At the time I thought it was odd, then maybe a little romantic. But, my goodness, if it's ruining structures and bridges then people are getting carried away with it and need to stop.
Funny I don't think that I have ever seen anyone of those shows stay together. So wondering if maybe this was an attempt at that. I can see why people would do it. Gayle
This is a new one to me too. It's downright silly and I consider it vandalism. People have many ways to show love for each other without destroying ancient structures...take out an ad for cryin' out loud! This is just ridiculous! Not to mention unsightly. When I travel, I want to see structures not a million padlocks covering them up. Stupid!!!
Yeah I can see the romantic side but the damage could be irreversible. gayle
I hadn't either until recently. I was reading a story about the view of Parisians and felt it demanded a little more investigation. I thought it was romantic until I saw the images and then read the damage it was doing to these beautiful bridges. Thanks for reading. Gayle
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