Love Lock Bridges Around the World

Young couple kissing at Pont des Art at the love padlocks on the bridge. — Carlo A/Getty Images

Love locks—padlocks typically engraved with a couple's name and the date before being placed on bridges, fences, statues, or other installations to commemorate their indestructible bond—are a fun display of affection and a sweet symbol of your lifelong commitment to one another. While you could, in theory, place your own love lock anywhere, there are numerous installations around the world where you and your sweetheart can join countless other couples and leave behind a love lock.

The love lock tradition reportedly dates back to a Serbian World War I romance tale, but its modern popularity can be traced to the 2006 best-selling Italian novel-turned-film Ho Voglia di Te (“I Want You”) by Federico Moccia. In the book, a couple affixes a love lock to Rome’s Ponte Milvio bridge to declare their love unbreakable. Since then, enamored sweethearts have been doing the same around the world. It's important to carefully consider where you'll place your love lock; in recent years, many love locks have been removed specifically from bridges, as the weight of so much metal can be structurally dangerous. Rather than just place your lock anywhere, be sure to seek out an installation that's sanctioned by locals. The last thing you'd want is to put your lock on someone else's private property or to return to the spot in the future and find it's been removed.

The good news? There are plenty of spots across the globe where you can add a love lock today. So, grab your own padlock, decorate it with your names and any other fun details, then lock it to a bridge, fence, or installation at one of these romantic locations around the world.

01 of 20

Most Ljubavi, Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia

Most Ljubavi is the love lock bridge that reportedly started the trend over a century ago. After a Serbian couple named Nada and Relja were separated during World War I, Nada died of a broken heart after Relja fell for another woman. Upon hearing the story, women in Vrnjačka Banja started inscribing their names and those of their partners on padlocks and sticking them to the railings of the bridge where Nada and Relja used to meet, starting a tradition that is still going strong.

02 of 20

Punda Love Heart, Willemstad, Curaçao

The Punda Love Heart in Willemstad, Curaçao Covered in Love Locks — Courtesy of Curaçao Tourist Board

Curaçao is a dushi (meaning "sweet" in Papiamento) destination, loved by couples around the world. Its colorful capital Willemstad feels like a slice of Europe in the Caribbean. Against the backdrop of the Queen Emma Bridge and the island’s iconic Handelskade Street, couples can lock in their love at the Punda Love Heart installation. Created by Carlos Blaaker in February 2017, this statue in the heart of the city reminds couples to live in the moment and soak up the best of the island.

03 of 20

Pont des Artes, Paris, France

Lover's locks on Pont Des Artes bridge in Paris, France — John Humble/Getty Images

Pont des Arts, undeniably the most famous love lock bridge, attracts lovers from all over the world. Its popularity caused the bridge to buckle under the pressure of the thousands of locks, resulting in a ban on their placement. You might not be able to add yours, but the pedestrian-only Pont des Arts Bridge over the River Seine is still a scenic spot for a stroll while in Paris.

04 of 20

Father Bernatek Footbridge, Krakow, Poland

The Father Bernatek Footbridge (Kładka Bernatka) in Krakow links the districts of Kazimierz and Podgórze and is one of the most famous lovers' bridges in Poland. According to the legend, if you and your partner hang a padlock on this bridge and throw the key into the Wisła River, your lover’s flame will never die out.

05 of 20

St. Maarten Causeway Bridge, Phillipsburg, Sint Maarten

The Dutch Caribbean territory of Sint Maarten has its own "love zone" right on the St. Maarten Causeway Bridge, where three giant heart-shaped installations are covered with locks adoringly placed by tourists and locals alike. Couples enjoy a lovely stroll over the Simpson Bay Lagoon before placing their locks.

06 of 20

Magere Brug, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Magere Brug over the river Amstel in Amsterdam — Massimo Borchi/Atlantide Phototravel/Getty Images

Magere Brug goes by many names, including Kerkstraatbrug (its original moniker), "the skinny bridge," and "the kissing bridge." At night, the drawbridge is lit by 1,200 lamps, and it is believed that sealing your love with a kiss while sailing underneath it guarantees a never-ending partnership. With this historic love connection, it’s clear why this became Amsterdam’s most popular bridge for interlocked lovers.

07 of 20

Napa Valley Wine Train Love Lock Bridge, Napa, California

Love locks at the Napa Valley Wine Train Love Lock Bridge in Napa, California — Courtesy of Downtown Napa

Napa is one of the world’s most romantic destinations. In the downtown area, there is a small pedestrian love lock bridge connecting the Napa Valley Wine Train station and the boarding platform where couples can declare their commitment. And your lock will be in good company—there’s a commemorative padlock in honor of The Big Bang Theory’s Amy and Sheldon’s kiss on the famous Napa train.

08 of 20

Makartsteg Bridge, Salzburg, Austria

Love locks at the Makartsteg Bridge in Salzburg, Austria — agustavop/Getty Images

Marketsteg Bridge in Salzburg is so synonymous with couples that it's called "Lovers Bridge." Crossing the Salzach River, it was built in 2001 and named after the Austrian painter Hans Makart. It’s as romantic a backdrop as any to profess your unending love with panoramic views of the city, including the Salzburg Cathedral and the hillside Hohensalzburg Fortress. It’s also a stone’s throw from Mozart’s old residence.

09 of 20

Mount Huangshan, China

Love Locks near a giant lock sculpture at Mt. Huangshan in China — zhouyousifang/Getty Images

There are many stories about how Mount Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) came to be China’s most romantic mountain and home to a sizeable collection of love locks. One tale involves doomed forbidden lovers, while others claim a connection to Yue-Lao, a patron saint of love in Chinese folklore. Climbing Mount Huangshan promises glimpses of ancient pine trees, dramatic scenery, and a chance to place a lover’s padlock onto the fences and throw the key into the limitless valley below.

10 of 20

N Seoul Tower, Seoul, South Korea

The railings at Seoul’s iconic N Seoul Tower are burgeoning with locks (engraved and otherwise) from couples dreaming of enduring love. There are even artificial trees set up for additional locks and a special container for all the keys. Good luck finding yours!

11 of 20

Butcher’s Bridge, Ljubjana, Slovenia

Love locks on Butchers Bridge in Ljubljana, Slovenia — Photography by Deb Snelson/Getty Images

The name might not instantly conjure images of romance, but Butcher’s Bridge over the Ljubljanica River is the go-to destination for lovers to place locks in Slovenia’s capital. The irony continues with statues of deformed creatures, a disemboweled Prometheus, and a shamed Adam and Eve having been banished from paradise.

12 of 20

Hohenzollern Bridge, Cologne, Germany

Love Locks on the Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne, Germany — F.J. Jimenez/Getty Images

The city of Cologne is known for its Romanesque churches, for being the place where eau de Cologne was invented, and for the Hohenzollern Bridge (Hohenzollerbrücke). Crossing the Rhine River, the bridge is decorated with countless padlocks that prove love is alive and well.

13 of 20

Luzhkov Bridge, Moscow, Russia

Love locks at Luzhkov Bridge in Moscow, Russia — Getty Images

Moscow’s Luzhkov Bridge is actually a padlock tree park where one can expect to see a sea of locks (many are red) and even couples in their wedding attire. Spanning the Moscow River, Luzhkov Bridge is close to the Kremlin and Red Square, the city's most notable landmarks.

14 of 20

Čertovka Pedestrian Bridge, Kampa, Prague, Czech Republic

Love locks at Čertovka Pedestran Bridge, Kampa in Prague, Czech Republic — Courtesy of Matej Halouska

Affectionately called "Prague Venice," the area around Čertovka is a popular tourist spot. Couples enjoy leaving locks on the Čertovka pedestrian bridge, which connects the famous Charles Bridge to the Lennon Wall in Lesser Town.

15 of 20

Augusta Love Lock Bridge, Augusta, Georgia

Love locks at Augusta Love Lock Bridge in Augusta, Georgia — Courtesy of Augusta Convention & Visitors Bureau

Promise everlasting love at the Love Lock Bridge in the Augusta Canal National Heritage Area (one of only three national heritage areas in Georgia). Take a stroll to spot the unique locks lovingly signed and fastened to the bridge—and then add yours.

16 of 20

Staalmeestersbrug, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Love locks overlooking canal in Staalmeesterbrug, Amsterdam, Netherlands — George Pachantouris/Getty Images

Amsterdam’s Staalmeestersbrug boasts a spectacular view of the Zuiderkerk (the South Church of Amsterdam). This view has been painted by several famous artists, including the French impressionist Claude Monet. It’s on the bridge’s guy wires that couples lay their symbolic padlocks.

17 of 20

Niagara Falls Love Locks Bridge, Ontario, Canada

Sign leading to Niagara Falls Love Locks Bridge in Niagara Falls, Canada — Courtesy of Michelle Moyer

From time immemorial, Niagara Falls has welcomed those in search of romance; it’s the seventh most popular landmark in the world to propose. Many are unaware that there’s a love locks bridge located behind the Embassy Suites hotel, which conveniently also sells locks.

18 of 20

Schenley Park Bridge, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Love locks at Schenley Park Bridge in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — Courtesy of Jin Wu at Visit Pittsburgh

Popular with University of Pittsburgh students, colorful padlocks started appearing on the Schenley Park Bridge in the early 2000s. The bridge connects Schenley Plaza and Schenley Park in this Pennsylvania city's south Oakland neighborhood.

19 of 20

Wedding Lock Bridge, Riga, Latvia

Love locks at Wedding Lock Bridge in Riga, Latvia — Courtesy of The Boutique Adventurer

Overlooking Riga’s Freedom Monument in Bastejkalns Park is a small pedestrian bridge that crosses over the city canal. It’s called Padlock Bridge or the Wedding Lock Bridge, and tradition dictates that hopeful couples should place locks there just after the wedding ceremony concludes in order to immortalize their love. Talk about an amazing photo opportunity!

20 of 20

Love Lock Sculptures, Loveland, Colorado

Love locks at Love Locks Sculptures in Loveland, Colorado — Courtesy of Visit Loveland

With a name like Loveland, the nation's sweetheart city has an abundance of love lock sculptures. When each sculpture gets filled, new ones are added, so your padlock will never be removed and your love can truly last forever.

Whether you choose to visit one of these locations while dating, during your engagement, or as part of your honeymoon, placing a love lock on a bridge or installation is something you and your partner will remember forever. Whatever you do, come prepared: It's unlikely that you'll stumble across a spot to buy your own padlock in these locales, so if it's something you know you want to do, purchase one in advance and bring it along with you.

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