If you walk across just about any major pedestrian bridge with thin metal railings in Europe, you’ll see clusters of padlocks fastened to the sides. Two lovers will write their names on a padlock, snap it shut and throw the key into the water below, where it will turn to rust before their love erodes — or at least that’s the hope.
The custom of “love padlocks” supposedly goes back to the eve of World War I in Serbia, but it didn’t take off until 2006, when it was popularized by an Italian romance novel. Love padlocks are all over Europe now and apparently even in a few places in North America, though I hadn’t noticed it until I moved over here. Local governments absolutely hate the locks, because they are unattractive and bad for the bridges. Some cities are going so far as to cut all the locks off — but that isn’t stopping anyone.
Blair calls it “getting bridge married.” And yes, we got bridge hitched last September, on the Pont des Arts over the Seine in Paris. I’m normally an ogre when it comes to big sentimental displays, but I was happy to go along with this. It was easy and cheap and it meant I got to chuck something into the river in a very manly way.
Most of the locks are very new, but I did see a few that claimed to be a few decades old. Some of the locks bore inscriptions promising undying friendship. Some of them pledged loyalty to a pet. A few had just one name on them — and I’m still not sure if I think that’s sad or inspiring.
Bridge marriage is cheap and sweet and strangely moving — it’s one of the few “big romantic gestures” that doesn’t have to be wildly impractical. And I don’t care if the city cuts our lock off in a few months time. I know that key is never coming back up. I’d recommend it to you and your significant other.* Just be picky about where you put your lock.
Recently I was in Prague, and I saw a cluster of locks on a piece of iron grating on the Charles Bridge. Prague is a grand city, the Vltava is a beautiful river and the Charles Bridge might be the most attractive feature of either. But it’s made of stone and there aren’t many places where a lock can be affixed. So the young lovers of Prague got creative and started hanging their locks from a tiny bridge over a nearby canal. I understand why they did this, but the effect just isn’t the same.
A lock on an iconic bridge says, “our love is one for the ages; we will live forever in the hearts of poets.” A lock on a canal is the bridge marriage equivalent of a promise ring. It says, “Someday, when we’re both ready, we’re going to put a lock on the big bridge. And then I’m going to park my dad’s station wagon in that abandoned lot behind the Burger King and feel you up like crazy.”
That got me thinking: Maybe every bridge sends a slightly different message. Paris’ Pont des Arts is one the most romantic spots in the word. A lot of other pedestrian bridges are just as magnificent, but in very different ways. And then there are a few that are actually depressing. How can you lump Parisian lovers in with whoever hangs out on what’s left of the Walnut Street Bridge** in Harrisburg, Pa.? You can’t. That would be monstrous.
Of course, someone has to codify this stuff. Here’s a short list of the sentiment conveyed by love padlocks on major pedestrian bridges in Europe and North America***:
- Pont des Arts in Paris: I will love you until the end of time.
- Charles Bridge in Prague: I will love you until we’re as grey as the clouds overhead.
- Most Ljubavi in Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia: I will love you until the continent becomes embroiled in a long, pointless war.
- Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco: I will love you know matter what the state of California says.
- Tower Bridge in London: I will love you unless the Queen says I can’t.
- Humber Bridge in Toronto: I will love you until the snow melts and we can escape this place.
- Ponte Vecchio in Florence: I will love you until the money runs out.
- Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne: I will love you with maximum efficiency for as long as is prudent.
- Brooklyn Bridge in New York City: I love you. Got a problem with that?
- Ponte Milvio in Rome: I will love you until our passion destroys this ancient architectural treasure.
- Francis Scott Key Bridge in Washington D.C.: I will love you in accordance with the requirements of all state and federal statutes.
- Walnut Street Bridge in Harrisburg, Pa.: I will love you until this cough syrup wears off.
Got any that I missed? Leave a suggestion in the comments.
*Or best friend. Or pet. Or just you.
** I grew up there. I’m allowed to say that.
*** Some of these are cheats, because they’re not all places where people currently place locks. But they are all bridges where love padlocks are at least possible.
In Europe, you’re not really married until you’re bridge married is a post from: Travels With Stanchaks.