Italians are known for many things. Off the top of my head I can think of five: food, fashion, cars, love & romance, and history – just to name a few. Italians live life with a class and style all their own, but like every culture they have their idiosyncrasies. The first time I saw the locks I had not clue – I thought is just looked ugly. If you have not idea what I’m talking about, you in good company. Most people don’t. Even I didn’t know for almost 5 years. Until I was educated; here’s the story.
Where ever streets have picturesque views in Italy you see a chain, a guardrail full of locks. The locks are next to and on top of each other. It doesn’t matter, as long as they’re stationary. Each lock has two initials and or a heart. The tradition goes like this. After a long romantic walk couples usually take a lock; Inscribe both their initials, securely fasten it to the chain. Then throws away the key. As if to say our love will last forever. The Italians took carving initials into a tree a step further. They mark their relationship in style. It’s an incredible sight to behold when the locks blend into the Italian landscapes. As odd as this sounds it’s a more common and beautiful than one would think. It’s one of those things that marks the Italian as a great people. Next time you travel. Mind the locks.
