Inspired by the symbolic gesture of everlasting endearment – “love locks” are scattered across Europe – thousands of padlocks weigh down bridges to the extent that one Paris bridge suffered a partial collapse from the weight!
Love locks or love padlocks are padlocks which lovers lock to a bridge, fence, gate, or similar public fixture to symbolize their love. Typically their names or initials are inscribed on the padlock, and its key is thrown away to symbolize an unbreakable love. Love locks have become popular at an increasing number of locations worldwide. They are now mostly treated by municipal authorities as litter or vandalism, and there is some cost to their removal. However, there are authorities who embrace them, and who use them as fundraising projects or tourism attractions.
PARIS
The Pont de l’Archevêché is the narrowest road bridge in Paris, built in 1828, bridge is 68 metres long. After the Pont des Arts was cleared of its display of padlocks in 2010, and similarly the Passerelle Léopold-Sédar-Senghor, lovers started to place their ‘love padlocks’ on this bridge. In the shadow of Notre Dame Cathedral, “merchants” lure tourists to purchase their padlocks in order to affix them to the bridge, while the police make futile attempts to chase them away
FLORENCE
In Florence, Italy, 5,500 love padlocks affixed to the Ponte Vecchio were removed by the city council. According to the council the padlocks both pose an aesthetic problem as well as scratch and dent the metal of the bridge. Steps away, locks have been attached to the wire rope pedestrian barriers lining the street along the river, and even some of the handrails.
PRAGUE
The preferred place in Prague for love padlocks is a small footbridge in the “Malá Strana” district. The bridge crosses a sidearm of the Vltava. It is near the John Lennon Wall and a street called “Grand Priory Square” (Velkopřevorské náměsti).
The local legend behind the bridge is one about two star-crossed lovers. Just like Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the couple came from two prominent Czech families caught in a feud. They planned to meet at the bridge for a kiss and when the families discovered their secret, the unfortunate pair was killed. The legend inspired many locals and tourists to visit the bridge and add their own love lock to the collection to represent their eternal adoration. While tourists also attempt to attach locks to the historical Charles Bridge, they are usually removed within 48 hours by city workers, to protect the famous structure.
Rumour has it, that in Old Montreal by the river close to the Clock Tower, love locks have started to be attached to the fence.
You can now create Virtual Love Locks
Related posts: The John Lennon Wall – Prague
(PS: Happy Valentine’s Day to Laurie!)
