Love locks on Ponte Vecchio in Florence
There are hundreds of love locks on Ponte Vecchio in Florence. Especially the railing of the statue of Benvenuto Cellini is locked to eternal love.
Padlocks symbolizing eternal love can be found in iconic places all over Italy, and of course there are lots on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence Tuscany. Especially, on the railing of the statue of the goldsmith and sculptor Benvenuto Cellini which can seem as a bit of a paradox.
Ponte Vecchio and the statue of Cellini.
The Man Who Sculpted Medusa
Cellini was born in Florence in 1500 and died there 71 years later, after having worked in most of the great renaissance cities. One of his most famous sculptures can be seen around the corner from Ponte Vecchio in Loggia dei Lanzi. It is the bronze of Perseus proudly presenting the snake haired head of Medusa, while her decapitated body is bleeding by his feet.
In mythology Medusa is known to turn men to stone, and the sculpture is appropriately surrounded by marble statues of Hercules, David and Neptune. Not the best recommendation of an ever-lasting relationship between man and woman.
A closer look at some of the love locks found.
Not a Model Guardian of Lovers’ Vows
Added to that, Cellini himself was not exactly monogamous. He did not marry until 1562, but was known to have taken some of his female models as mistresses. And he was officially charged and sentenced for the crime of sodomy with both women and men. Some of the passions have been vividly described in a colourful autobiography from 1563, so Benvenuto Cellini may not be a model guardian of lovers’ vows either.
Cellini’s statue in front of Palazzo Vecchio, more love locks and the bust of Cellini himself.
But that does not bother the couples leaving their love locks on Ponte Vecchio in Florence. They still throw the key to the padlock on Cellini’s railing in the Arno as an eternal symbol of undying love. Until the city administration comes by and removes the tokens.
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This post was last update in March 2017
These days there are love locks everywhere. I love finding them everywhere.
Yes, it’s becoming quite a sport.
Argh, I’m racking my brain trying to remember what sci-fi movie or tv show I watched that had a angle on Medusa turning men to stone! Anyhoo, I would so like to put my lock at Ponte Vecchio for someone special. Have a great day, Mette! :)
Hope the show wasn’t ‘Homer’ Simpson haha.
An interesting phenomenon, love locks. Though, I think there’s something about locking in love that’s a bit jarring.
I agree – seem to remember an old Sting song making that point.
Florence is such a welcoming and beautiful city – last time I was there they didn’t have the love locks. Nice to see this there, adding to the romance.
Must be about time you went back then, Maria.
Cellini was certainly an interesting character and thanks for sharing his story with us. Indeed what an odd place to have the love locks. It’s always fun to see where the love locks turn up but so far I’ve only seem them on bridges.
Character seems to be a very appropriate term in connection with Cellini. And in Italy the love locks are not restricted to bridges, though I suppose there has to be water. I’ve seen them on the railings in Cinque Terra too.
Love locks are an interesting notion. Their placement in this post is even more interesting. Thanks for sharing. :-)
Thank you.
So cool :)
Thanks