{"id":56783,"date":"2026-02-16T16:29:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T21:29:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/famous-lovers-arch-in-italy-collapses-into-sea-on-valentines-day-following-severe-weather\/16\/02\/2026\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T16:29:01","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T21:29:01","slug":"famous-lovers-arch-in-italy-collapses-into-sea-on-valentines-day-following-severe-weather","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/famous-lovers-arch-in-italy-collapses-into-sea-on-valentines-day-following-severe-weather\/16\/02\/2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Famous \u2018Lovers\u2019 Arch\u2019 in Italy Collapses into Sea on Valentine\u2019s Day Following Severe Weather"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\">NEED TO KNOW<\/h3>\n<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The famous \u201cLover\u2019s Arch\u201d collapsed into the sea on Valentine\u2019s Day as a result of severe weather in Southern Italy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Located in Italy\u2019s Puglia region, the rock formation became a popular travel destination that drew in thousands of tourists and couples each year<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<div class=\"\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Local legend says those who kissed under the arch would experience everlasting love<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A famous rock formation known as \u201cLovers\u2019 Arch\u201d in Southern Italy collapsed on Valentine\u2019s Day following severe weather.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Strong storm surges that brought heavy rain and winds over the weekend caused the fragile structure at Faraglioni di Sant\u2019Andrea to crumble on Saturday, Feb. 14, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2026\/02\/16\/travel\/italy-lovers-arch-collapses-valentines-day\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:CNN;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">CNN<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cpd8elz20jpo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:BBC;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">BBC<\/a> report.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The natural formation has become a major tourist attraction in Salento, located in Italy\u2019s Puglia region, drawing in thousands of tourists and couples wishing to take in the picturesque sights of the Adriatic Sea.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\"><i>Collapsed &#8220;Lover&#8217;s Arch&#8221; <\/i><\/p>\n<p> Paolo Manzo\/NurPhoto via Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Mayor Maurizio Cisternino of Melendugno, a town located near the collapsed arch, told CNN that the natural event is not only \u201ca blow to the heart,\u201d but it also poses a \u201cdevastating blow to the image of Salento and to tourism.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He added to the outlet: \u201cNature has reclaimed the arch, just as it created it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">According to the BBC, visitors first noticed the natural landmark was missing on Sunday morning following severe weather brought to the region by Storm Oriana.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">While Cisternino knew the collapse would be inevitable at some point, the harsh natural elements brought by the storm accelerated the tragedy much sooner than expected, per CNN.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Local legend says couples who kissed under the arch would meet the sweet fate of eternal love together, the outlet reports. Because of this, visitors have been drawn to the site for centuries, making it a popular spot for marriage proposals, first kisses and even celebrating unions.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Italy's \" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/TGKJL2FWBMjqr3KgQRogRg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/abbee19453c1c69b6c81f5f78dc45b7f\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<div style=\"max-height:none;overflow:visible\"><i>Italy&#8217;s &#8220;Lover&#8217;s Arch&#8221; before it collapsed <\/i><\/p>\n<p>De Agostini via Getty<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The location was once used as a strategic spot to look out for pirates, however it later developed a reputation for romantic happenings in the late 18th century, according to CNN.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This is not the first natural disaster Italy has seen this year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for<a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/people-news-daily-newsletter-sign-up-8692701\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:PEOPLE's free daily newsletter;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"> PEOPLE&#8217;s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">On Sunday, Jan. 25, the hilltop town of Niscemi, located in southern Sicily, was left <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/harrowing-footage-shows-italian-town-hanging-at-edge-of-cliff-after-massive-landslide-11894524\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:hanging at the edge of a cliff after a severe storm caused a major landslide;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">hanging at the edge of a cliff after a severe storm caused a major landslide<\/a>, forcing 1,500 residents to evacuate the area.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Footage obtained by PEOPLE at the time showed houses hanging from the edge of the sharp cliff that the natural disaster created. In one shot, a car could even be seen teetering halfway off the edge as pieces of the saturated soil continued to crumble around it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Read the original article on <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/italy-s-lovers-arch-collapses-into-the-sea-on-valentine-s-day-amid-severe-weather-11907447\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:People;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">People<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/articles\/famous-lovers-arch-italy-collapses-211258080.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEED TO KNOW The famous &ldquo;Lover&rsquo;s Arch&rdquo; collapsed into the sea on Valentine&rsquo;s Day as a result of severe weather in Southern<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/famous-lovers-arch-in-italy-collapses-into-sea-on-valentines-day-following-severe-weather\/16\/02\/2026\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56784,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/1ig.rXy_M0XOws2BoH8_jA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyMDA7aD04MDA7Y2Y9d2VicA--\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/people_218\/ebc8e6672ba598a84bbf5e8101f0df2c","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56783"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56783"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56783\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56784"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56783"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56783"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56783"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}