Juliet's Love Notes Becoming an Eyesore

The residence that is believed to have belonged to Juliet Capulet, of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, will soon be closing to clean the walls covered in graffiti love messages.


The landmark, Italy’s second most visited after the Vatican Museums, draws thousands of visitors each year, the height of which is during Valentine’s Day.


Legend has it that the Cappello family, who actually inhabited the home around the 12th century, was the family which Shakespeare based the Capulets. Historians however feel that the evidence is lacking to found this claim.


The house has become a shrine to visitors, who leave love messages in graffiti, as well as with paper notes stuck to the wall with chewing gum. In December 2004, city officials placed a strict ban on the graffiti and gum which was destroying the look of the ancient building. Additionally, a modern alternative was introduced which allows visitors to send electronic messages to a huge display screen located in the house’s lobby. City council member Giovanna Crippa attributes the failed attempt partially to a loss of “romantic furtiveness.”


Ultimately, Verona city officials are confident that the house will be in perfect condition for the influx of lovers on the symbolic Valentine’s Day. Surely as in the past, some visitors will try re-enacting the famous “Romeo, Romeo” scene from the balcony where Juliet is believed to have actually summonsed her Romeo.


from ANSA, BBC