Love Notes Scrubbed From Juliet's House

The love note-writing tradition dates from 1937, when the first letter sent to Juliet was found by her tomb.

"Each year we receive thousands of letters, simply addressed to 'Juliet, Verona.' We have a Juliet Club which collects the missives and replies to everybody. Each year, on Valentine's Day the best letters are awarded a prize," Di Dio said.

Though notes stuck with chewing gum will be strictly banned -- a guard will be overlooking the site -- Di Dio agrees that the love note tradition must be kept and promoted further.

"We need to find a way that encourages visitors to express their intimate thoughts and preserves the site at the same time," Di Dio said.

The idea of making Juliet go digital by giving her own phone number and email address, with the text messages displayed on a giant screen inside the house, failed three years ago. It was too unromantic.

"Visitors who come to Juliet's house want to express their innermost feelings the old fashioned way, by writing them on paper," Di Dio said.

He planned to solve the graffiti problem by placing large, removable wooden panels on the walls.

"Visitors will be welcome to write their love messages there," Di Dio said. "In this way we will not lose this genuine expression of fantasy and passion. We will keep the panels and display them."

Related Links:

Rossella Lorenzi's blog: Archaeorama

See Italia: Juliet's House

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet