Rock structure which served as backdrop to countless proposals disappears into the Adriatic after violent storm

Rock structure which served as backdrop to countless proposals disappears into the Adriatic after storm

The famous arch of the sea stacks at Sant’Andrea in Melendugno, Puglia, Italy, popularly known as Lovers’ Arch, collapsed on Valentine’s Day after strong storm surges and heavy rain swept across southern Italy.

The rocky arch, one of the best-known natural landmarks on the Adriatic coast, got its name as it served as a backdrop for wedding proposals, selfies and postcards, and was one of the most recognisable symbols of the Salento, one of Italy’s most heavily visited tourist areas.

“It is a devastating blow to the heart,” said Melendugno’s mayor, Maurizio Cisternino. “One of the most famous tourist features of our coastline and of the whole of Italy has disappeared.”

      • FuglyDuck@lemmy.worldEnglish
        10·
        8 hours ago

        True. But there’s a difference.

        While hallmark certainly didn’t create the holiday, a large part of how we celebrate it today was shaped by hallmark and other companies using it to drum up business.

    • Akasazh@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      2 hours ago

      I mean it sucks that physics and erosion do their thing but…

      Human beings have the capability to reflect upon their actions and sound be able to learn from last experience.

      That’s more vexing to me.

  • GraniteM@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    9 hours ago

    Reminds me of New Hampshire’s Old Man of the Mountain, a famous rock formation that looked like a man in profile, which was so identified with New Hampshire that they put it on their state quarter… and which collapsed within a couple of years of the quarter being released.

  • TheSeveralJourneysOfReemus@lemmy.worldEnglish
    32·
    6 hours ago

    On 25 January, after torrential rain brought by Cyclone Harry, a devastating landslide tore away an entire slope in the town of Niscemi, Sicily,

    And it’s still advancing, with no sign of stopping.

    And, of course, they are turning this into a political case.

    • Jesus_666@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      3 hours ago

      Of course it’s political. If Caligula hadn’t chickened out they wouldn’t be in this mess today where water can just airdrop in and demolish the landscape at will. Is that water the sea? No, but conquering the sea would’ve sent a clear message to water in general.