Love locks are a symbol of love and commitment

Here at Love Lock Story we have been inspired by an ancient custom, which is believed to have originated in China – where lovers lock a padlock on a chain or gate and then throw away the key, symbolically locking their love forever. Love padlocks (also known as Love Locks) are a custom by which padlocks are affixed to a fence, gate, bridge or similar public fixture by sweethearts to symbolize their everlasting love.

People have found lots of places to lock their love padlocks, however, we recommend making sure you place it where it will not be at risk of being cut off by city or community officials. There are safe and legal places that have been erected just for you to lock your love. Be creative, but please respect the property of others!

Prague - footbridge near the John Lennon Wall

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The most preferred place in Prague for locking 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). You will also find love padlocks in Prague at the Charles Bridge (Karlův most). Of the bridges that cross the River Moldau the Charles Bridge in Prague is the oldest one and one of the oldest bridges made of stone in Europe. It is an iconic symbol of the city of Prague and is one of the nation's cultural monuments. Until 1841 the Charles Bridge was the only bridge crossing the river Moldau and the only connection between Prague Castle and the city's town. The bridge was therefore also part of the coronation route of Bohemian kings.

Paris - Pont des Arts bridge

and the Pont de l'Archevêché bridge

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Paris is known as the city of love and therefore Paris is one of the cities that has the most love padlocks. The most popular places are the "Pont des Arts" bridge and the "Pont de l'Archevêché" bridge. The "Pont des Arts" is the most prefered place to fix love padlocks. The "Pont des Arts" was the first bridge made of iron in Paris and was constructed between 1802 and 1804 during the reign of Napoleon I. It is 155 meters long and 11 meters in width and connects the Quais de Conti with the Quais Francois-Mitterrand near the Louvre.

The bridge's name is due to the fact that it is close to the Louvre, which was called “Palais des Arts” in the past. The "Pont de l'Archevêché" bridge crosses the Seine between the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the left bank. You will find the bridge at the Parisian metro station Maubert-Mutualité. Since 2010 couples have attached their love padlocks there.

Pécs - city centre

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In Pécs, both students and lovers began to clamp padlocks to a wrought-iron fence in a narrow street linking the mosque in the city's main square and the magnificent medieval cathedral in the 1980s either as a symbol of the struggle to complete their study programme or a symbol of their commitment to one another. More recently, a new iron fence was added near the original one to provide a legal site for couples to attach love padlocks, similar to walls set aside by authorities in some cities for use by graffiti artists. Probably encouraged by the example of Pécs, lovers of Miskolc, Hungary, have started to fasten padlocks on the fence of the bridge at Szinva Terrace in Miskolc, a city in the northern part of the country. Also on top of the mausoleum in Baja, Hungary, hundreds of love padlocks are attached.

Madrid - Plaza Mayor

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In the middle of Plaza Mayor in Madrid, Spain you will find love locks with initials, dates and engravings of those publicly displaying their commitment.

Cologne - Hohenzollern Bridge

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For several years now, love locks have been considered one of Cologne’s most charming traditions. As proof of their love, couples fix padlocks to the railings on the Hohenzollern Bridge; to ensure everlasting love, they then throw the key into the Rhein river below. Experts estimate that the padlocks weigh over two tonnes. And more padlocks appear on a daily basis, as not just the residents of Cologne, but also tourists want to become part of the tradition.

Krakow - bridge the Vistula River

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In Krakow the pedestrian bridge across the Vistula River is where this expressio n of love is in full swing. The arched steel structure is a pedestrian and bike bridge which links the Podgorze and Kazimierz and districts. After the lovers lock the padlock onto the bridge, they toss the key into the river. So now there are hundreds, even thousands of padlock keys at the bottom of the river.