Locks of Love
It seems that locks aren’t just simply used to keep property secure from theft and vandalism any more. For decades now a custom has slowly been creeping across the world whereby loving, romantic, and sometimes superstitious couples have decided to write messages on padlocks, attach them to certain landmarks in specific areas - more often than not railings and fences - and then throw away the key. The practice, as well as symbolising a couple’s unending love for each other, is in some countries thought to bring good luck to a relationship.
Below are some amazing examples.
Pecs, Hungary
Image Source: Hindrik Sijens
Above: The famous lock fence of Pécs in Hungary, where the practice is thought to have begun, in Europe at least, back in the 1980s. Area officials were quickly forced to designate this particular spot ‘love lock friendly’ in a bid to curb the rampant placement of lock in other areas when the trend took off.
Moscow, Russia
Image Source: Stephan Mantler
Above: The unique love lock trees of Moscow, found on the city’s Luzhkov Bridge. The majority of these locks are placed by newlyweds, as the practice is thought to bring good luck.
Seoul, South Korea
Image Source: Larry ‘n Jill
Above: Literally thousands of lovers’ locks can be seen attached to the fencing that surrounds Mt. Namsan’s N Seoul Tower in Central Seoul. There even exists a special bin in which to place keys following the accumulation of hundreds around the fence.
Cologne, Germany
Image Source: Ben Heine
Above: The 406 metre Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne; a structure that has been slowly covered in padlocks since the romantic trend reached the city in 2008, much to the annoyance of local government.
Korakuen, Japan
Image Source: David Gee
Above: A colourful wall of locks, all attached by couples, can be found in an amusement park in Korakuen, Japan. Korakuen is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, and is located in Tokyo.
Wroclaw, Poland
Image Source: Maciej Kielan
Above: A stunning view of Tumski Bridge in the Polish city of Wroclaw. The bridge has recently become a love-lock-laden site.
Montevideo, Uruguay
Image Source: Natassa
Above: A fountain in Montevideo, Uruguay. Attached is a plaque which reads,”The legend of this young fountain tells us that if a lock with the initials of two people in love is placed in it, they will return together to the fountain and their love will be forever locked.”
Guam, USA
Image Source: chotda
Above: The love-locks of Puntan dos Amantes (Two Lovers’ Point) in Guam, a picturesque and incredibly romantic spot that overlooks the ocean.
Rome, Italy
Image Source: hhj1
Above: The famous padlock-covered lamppost of The Milvian Bridge in Rome, Italy. Since 2006, lovers have attached initialled locks to the post and then thrown the keys into the Tiber river as a sign of their love.
Huangshan, China
Image Source: StevieB44
Above: Just one of the many chain fences of Yellow Mountain in China; nearly all of which have been slowly covered in love-locks by romantic locals and tourists alike – particularly newlyweds.
Odessa, Ukraine
Image Source: Damian Corrigan
Above: Over the past few years Teshin Bridge in Odessa has become home to hundreds of lovers’ locks. For the curious, ‘Teshin’ translates as ‘Mother-in-Law’.
Prague, Czech Republic
Image Source: incredibleholg
Above: A small pedestrian bridge that crosses the Vlatva river in Prague, covered in padlocks.
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This is absolutely amazing. I have never heard about this before. That is a lot of metal hanging about in odd places. It doesn’t seem to be prevalent in the US as indicated by the pictures. Thanks for the education.
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Gotta lock up that love, too cool.
I’ve been to the ones in prague, they are sweet.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jordanloehr/sets/72157625264195896/
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You won’t do that in South Africa, they will steel it and sell it for scrap metal. It would have worked in the OLD SA
This isn’t popular in the US because it looks like absolute trash. Get a lock cutter and make some money from the recycling man and do the world a favor with a clean looking area.
Cinque Terre, Italy also has a ‘love lock’ wall. check it out!
All this metal should be recycled and put to good use.
You don’t have to go to Italy, Russia or even Guam: try Lovelock, Nevada!
Well, there are a lot of “sleeping” chastity lovers, however that is quite a collection, even makes me think about relocking after 5 years of being free !
[...] finally, locks of [...]
I think it’s colorful and cheery on fencing. Didn’t do much for the lamp post, however.
Jeremy, and in the process shatter the hopes and dreams of 2 newlyweds for every few cents you might get for the scrap metal per lock? Just not worth it in my estimation. I like the idea myself.
nice pictures, want to post on facebook? search http://www.facebook.com/pages/amorchetticom/160110304022426
and update your places and photos please
regards
amorchetti – my love padlock
A great place to sit for a few hours with a set of lockpicks
I love the fact that people still do this. my great-grandmother went to Italy and her and my great-grandfather have one somewhere, I’m dying to go and find it.
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I’ve seen the one in Poland and it is one of the most romantic things I have ever seen because the bridge goes over to an island that has a bunch of cathedrals and constant weddings…
This reminds me of when I found an old rusty padlock locked to the wire railing of a shoddy steel bridge across a creek on the beach. I tried to pick the lock, but the mechanism was too rusty to even try to manipulate.
I SO WANNA START THIS!!!!!! i haven’t seen it here in the UK. I might just put a lock on a fence and see what happens
This is actually a timeless idea in Western culture, as well as Eastern. Recall the “chastity belt” and the locks on the doors (and the oak tree) of the Odyssey, and the Claddagh (sp) ring. Very touching, very universal. I believe it is what seperates us from most animals, the idea of fidelity and union and bond.
There’s another place like this on a coastal walkway in Cinque Terre, Italy
the locks of love in Cinque Terre, Italy are breath taking. They are along the path that you hike from one village to the next and they go on for quite a distance, it is breath taking. over and over again, when you turn a corner there are more and more. amazing!
I loved these photos, it is so romantic. I have to find a place for my fiance and I to do this…:)
How awful. Sorry to see that love cannot be thought to be forever with out ruining the landscape or historic place for those yet to come.