this post was submitted on 16 Feb 2026
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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.”

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[–] FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 126 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

lol, even mother nature is like "fuck this corporate holiday!"

[–] Stern@lemmy.world 49 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

There isn't a notable holiday that corps won't try to cash in on in one way or another IMO. KFC for Xmas in Japan immediately springs to mind as just one of many.

[–] FuglyDuck@lemmy.world 24 points 2 weeks 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.

[–] skisnow@lemmy.ca 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Today (Shrove Tuesday) is Pancake Day in many countries. IHOP in the Philippines closes their branches that day due to it being a holiday there. Their manager is the most incompetent marketer in the world for not even attempting to make Pancake Day a thing in the Philippines.

[–] mlg@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

I was going to joke about 313 day, but I think that actually needs sponsors to survive lol

[–] MutantTailThing@lemmy.world 89 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

‘I hope 2026 is gonna be better’

2026:

[–] Draegur@lemmy.zip 63 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

i feel like this kind of event is extremely apropos for this cursed decade. The SCREAMING twenties. Because they sure ain't roaring.

[–] Gerudo@lemmy.zip 13 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Oh I like that as this decades tagline

[–] Draegur@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 weeks ago

i mean it's either that or the sobbing twenties i suppose...

[–] Akasazh@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks 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.

[–] Gladaed@feddit.org 55 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Famous natural arches are a product of erosion. Hence the occasional collapse is usual.

[–] daychilde@lemmy.world 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

On the other hand, climate change does also accelerate the process, so it might've lasted a lot longer.

[–] Gladaed@feddit.org 2 points 2 weeks ago

Yes, but that's not what the presented data tells us.

[–] morto@piefed.social 34 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

“Nature has been overturned: what existed 30 years ago no longer exists

30 years? What existed only yesterday doesn't exist anymore! That's the rate of collapse: slowly, then suddenly

[–] GeneralEmergency@lemmy.world 17 points 2 weeks ago

“Nature has been overturned: what existed 30 years ago no longer exists

Wait till these motherfuckers learn about erosion.

[–] Trail@lemmy.world 33 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Well. Now I don't use that arch, btw.

[–] chronicledmonocle@lemmy.world 7 points 2 weeks ago

I don't see the problem. They should just reinstall the tourist destination through the AUR.

[–] GraniteM@lemmy.world 18 points 2 weeks 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.

[–] mystrawberrymind@piefed.ca 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Noooo! And on Valentine’s Day too! That’s so sad!😭

Btw, kinda scary looking at the Google map photos and seeing recent ones with people underneath it😬

[–] Viceversa@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

😱😱😱

This augers ill ...

[–] Baguette@lemmy.blahaj.zone 8 points 2 weeks ago

Love is dead pack it up

[–] iMastari@lemmy.world 8 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] T00l_shed@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago
[–] Bazell@lemmy.zip 7 points 2 weeks ago

Interesting coincidence.

[–] TheSeveralJourneysOfReemus@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

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.world 6 points 2 weeks 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.

[–] explodicle@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 weeks ago

When you put it like that, how is it not inherently political?

[–] daychilde@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

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

Because climate change has accelerated the process, and because regressives deny climate change, it became political.

[–] Evil_Shrubbery@thelemmy.club 4 points 2 weeks ago

Loven't.

Lovelorndomite sediments made out of ancient creatures that had sex finally had enough.

[–] TigerAce@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 2 weeks ago

Guess I had a better valentines day than that arch

[–] merdaverse@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 weeks ago

Nothing lasts forever, not even Love—r's arches

[–] ChicoSuave@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Another arch collapsed. Last one was a little over a year ago. It's weird that it's happened twice.

[–] moody@lemmings.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

It's not really weird. It's something that's going to happen at some point regardless. Like the article states, erosion made the arches, and it will eventually unmake them.

[–] ameancow@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

I had to double check that they weren't just recycling stories, but who would have thought that erosion and geology is still happening even as humans exist and oppose it!

[–] dfyx@lemmy.helios42.de 1 points 2 weeks ago

It happens all the time. Another famous example is the Azure Window on the island of Gozo, Malta. You might know it from the Dothraki Wedding in the first season of Game of Thrones. It collapsed in March 2017.

[–] MadhuGururajan@programming.dev 1 points 2 weeks ago

so long and... uh, thanks for all the catfish?

[–] spirinolas@lemmy.world 1 points 2 weeks ago