In Florence Italy I saw a number of padlocks attached to each other on Porto Vecchio. Does anyone know why?

yes, but first of all you should see the movie "ho voglia di te" (http://www.hovogliadite.it/). in this movies there Riccardo Scamarcio (Italian actor) and Laura Chiatti (Italian actress) that fell in love. one day they go to Ponte Milvio in Rome and they put a padlock on a chain and trough the key in the river. that symbolize eternal love.

now, in every part of Italy, young people do that. you write your name and your lover's name on the padlock, you lock it to a chain (usually in a public place) and then you trough away the key. this means "We will stay together forever"

It's dumb tourist couples who buy a lock, symbolizing their love for one another, lock it to the bridge and chuck the key into the river. Basically, it makes money for the padlock guy on the bridge.

Addition:

I say "dumb" because if you get caught, you get a fine. In addition, what gives a "couple in love" a right to deface public property? I've been to Rome and Florence and find it annoying that people can do whatever they like to public infrastructure and cultural objects just because they "can."

yes but ot's in rome!!i'm italian and i'm from rome!!!it's nice but it has became famous only because of the movie!!!

LOVE FOREVER