Monroe Chat

As an avid Shakespeare fan, this story touched my heart...... I could not imagine anything more romantic than to be married under the balcony which set the stage for such a love story...

... Not to mention that it was a football player doing so (happiness complete LOL)

I do have to question 'presumed' ... but my romantic soul will float with the balcony scene for now ....


ROME (AP) - An Italian soccer player is the first person to marry under the balcony where, legend has it, Romeo wooed Juliet.

Verona Mayor Flavio Tosi conducted Monday's wedding between Luca Ceccarelli, who plays for Hellas Verona, and his Juliet - girlfriend Irene Lanforti - in the 14th-century Casa di Giulietta, or House of Juliet.

The idea is part of a campaign by Verona, where William Shakespeare set his tale of star-crossed lovers, to foster its image as a romantic city.

The House of Juliet is one of the top tourist spots in a city that draws about 1.2 million visitors annually. The building belonged to the Cappello family, traditionally identified with the Capulets, leading to the folklore that the model for Shakespeare's fictional character once lived there.