Those of you who took the walk from Cologne's central train station to the landmark Deutzer bridge to catch a view of the Rhine river have probably seen all the padlocks on the ballustrade of the bridge (http://www.bilderbuch-koeln.de/Fotos/111098). What's the secret behind those padlocks?Couples in love buy brand new padlock which usually come with two keys. They climb the bridge, mount the padlock to the ballustrade, exchange vows of eternal love and then jointly drop the keys to their padlock that seals their love into the fast running Rhine river below them so no one ever can undo their (padlock of) love.When you're in Cologne take a walk on that bridge during sunset or the early evening hours...
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
There's a similar "display" on one of the bridges overlooking the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. I suspect the authorites have to remove some of the Locks on a periodic basis, to make room for new ones.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I wonder how many people have multiple locks on the bridge? :)
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Ya, well, better save than sorry I suppose ;-)...
Posted by
Freedonia
15088 posts
If they split up, can they go to the bridge and cut the lock off?
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
There is a mountain in China where they do the same thing. It was actually featured on a task on Amazing Race - the racers had to use a bunch of keys to find one lock among thousands that would open.
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
2779 posts
Frank II, sure they can provided they're good divers... But it's a catholic city so splitting up is probably not an option anyway ;-)
Posted by
Freedonia
15088 posts
Andreas....no diving needed....bolt cutters.
That could be a business for me to start there...I hang out at the bridge. Anyone who wants their lock removed gives me 10 Euros and I cut it off--the lock, nothing else.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
8947 posts
Saw the same thing on a small bridge in a park in Milan. Thought it was the sweetest thing and my husband and I said we were going to come back some day and put a lock on the bridge.
Posted by
Coppell, TX USA
284 posts
With enough cash I bet the marriage never happened.
Edwin