How a simple bridge in Florence made my love eternal
by Flavio Massari
If ever you were to cross the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, you'll notice a stunning characteristic of the famous bridge that you may not see anywhere else: there are padlocks attached to wherever they can be attached, mostly to the fence around the statue of Renaissance man Benvenuto Cellini.
If you think the padlocks really lock something practical, you're terribly wrongand I'm going to show you why
Legend tells if you attach a padlock to Ponte Vecchio (every surface is the right one) and then you throw the key in the river Arno, your love is going to be eternal (careful what you wish :). And that's the reason thousands of couples every year visit Ponte Vecchio
Even if you don't believe old legends, it's hard to be logic when you find yourself in Ponte Vecchio, probably the most romantic location in Florence. When the sun goes down and the shops close, you can look at the hills surrounding Florence and the bridges over the Arno river coloured in a shaded red
Watching the sunset on the river Arno is a timeless experience everyone should live one day or another.a unique panorama you'll remember for all your life
The first man to attach his padlock to the bridge was probably a locksmith who wanted to add some public visibility to his creations. Ponte Vecchio has always been full of merchants, so it's romantic side it's most easily enjoyable when the chic shops of the bridge are closed.
These days, however, it is not advisable for tourists to come flocking to the famous bridge and become part of the famous legend. At some point, the overabundance of padlocks gave the bridge a gaudy appearance and the government had to resort to removing these excessive padlocks, and for a time continued to keep on removing them, as they kept multiplying at will. The padlocks have sadly contributed to some damages on the bridge
Today, there is a penalty of a hefty 50 euros given to all who are caught locking or attaching anything to the Ponte Vecchio. These days, lovers simply come to the famous bridge and simply touch the remaining padlocks that have not been removed. Luck has kept them there, locked to the bridge, perhaps some luck will rub off on the hopeful couple as well, and keep their love alive for eternity.
Planning to search for a central hotel in Florence? Colomba, near Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, is one of the cheapest Florence hotels. You can get a unique content version of this article.
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