Enamored couples have their names engraved on a padlock and latch it to the railing of the Hohenzollern Bridge to swear eternal love and fidelity, and then the key is thrown into the Rhine. How romantic!
And some criticism: "What kind of society is this, in which the symbol for love is a padlock?"
The love locks have a touristic relevance, as many visitors specifically come to Cologne to put their love locks on the bridge, and often come back for a second and third time, for example on occasion of the wedding anniversary. But space becomes scarce for to put new locks. Some locks have been placed, where safety reasons might lead to removal [2].
Times gone by ...
A foot bridge in Kiew
At the quay in Arkhangelsk
Buenos Aires, the old harbor
Buenos Aires, the old harbor
And back to Cologne
Links:
[1] http://rheumatologe.blogspot.de/2009/04/die-liebesschlosser-von-koln.html
[2] http://www.ksta.de/koeln/-sote-liebesschloesser-duerfen-haengen-bleiben-1152350
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