Locks Of Love: Cologne's Bridge And Its Many Secrets

The Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne, Germany, is famous for its thousands of love locks. The tradition of attaching padlocks to the bridge's railings and throwing the keys into the Rhine River below began in 2008, with couples doing so as proof of their everlasting love. The locks are often engraved or decorated with stickers and ribbons. While the number of locks on the bridge is unknown, estimates have placed the figure at several hundred thousand.

The history of the Hohenzollern Bridge

The Hohenzollern Bridge (German: Hohenzollernbrücke) is a railway bridge that crosses the Rhine River in the German city of Cologne. It is named after the House of Hohenzollern, the rulers of Prussia and German Emperors when the bridge was constructed. The bridge is located on the same latitude as the famous Cologne cathedral and stretches powerfully across the river with its three wave-like arches.

The predecessor to the Hohenzollern Bridge was the Cathedral Bridge (Dombrücke), which was built between 1855 and 1859. Prior to the Cathedral Bridge, people crossed the river using pontoons and ferries. However, with the completion of the new Central Station, traffic increased, and it was decided that a new bridge was needed. The Hohenzollern Bridge was constructed between 1907 and 1911, designed by engineers Fritz Beermann and Friedrich Dirkson. The bridge consisted of three adjacent bridge parts, each with three iron truss arches, and was adorned with four equestrian statues of Prussian kings and German emperors from the House of Hohenzollern. The new bridge was officially inaugurated on 22 May 1911 by Kaiser Wilhelm II.

During World War II, the Hohenzollern Bridge was one of the most important bridges in Germany. Despite constant daily airstrikes, the bridge remained mostly intact. On 6 March 1945, as American troops began their attack on Cologne, German military engineers blew up the bridge to prevent the Allies from crossing the Rhine. After the war, reconstruction of the bridge began, and by May 1948, pedestrians could once again use the bridge. The bridge towers were demolished, and the southern sections of the roadway were removed. Reconstruction was completed in 1959, and further work was done in the 1980s to add two new tracks and pedestrian and bicycle pathways.

Today, the Hohenzollern Bridge is the busiest railway bridge in Germany, with over 1,200 trains crossing it daily. It has become famous for the thousands of "love locks" attached to its railings by couples wishing to symbolise their everlasting love. The custom of adding love locks to the bridge began in 2008, and today, there are likely several hundred thousand locks on the bridge, adding around 15 tons to its weight.

Love locks as a symbol of everlasting love

Love locks have become a symbol of everlasting love in Cologne, Germany, with thousands of locks glittering on the Hohenzollern Bridge since 2008. The tradition is said to have originated in Italy, with couples fixing padlocks to the railings of the bridge and throwing the keys into the Rhine River below, ensuring their love remains locked forever.

The locks are often engraved, painted, or decorated with stickers and ribbons, with some bearing short sayings, photographs, or other motifs. Each lock represents a moment and a promise made between two people, whether it be for love, friendship, gratitude, or fellowship.

The Hohenzollern Bridge, also known as the Cologne Bridge or Cathedral Bridge, is a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike. It is estimated that the bridge holds between 50,000 to 300,000 locks, with more being added daily. The weight of the locks is said to be around 40 to 45 tonnes, but this does not seem to pose any safety concerns for the bridge's stability.

The love locks have become an integral part of the cityscape, with their vibrant colours stretching across the entire 400-metre length of the bridge. The locks have become so synonymous with the bridge that it is now one of the city's most romantic spots, attracting couples from all over the world who wish to symbolise their everlasting love.

While there are concerns about the weight of the locks and their impact on bridge stability in other cities, the removal of love locks from the Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne seems unthinkable. The locks have become a symbol of the city's enduring love and have even been listed as a tourist site, attracting visitors who wish to immortalise their love stories among the thousands of others.

The safety concerns of love locks

The tradition of love locks on Cologne's Hohenzollern Bridge began in 2008, with couples affixing engraved padlocks to the railings of the bridge and throwing the keys into the Rhine River below. By 2011, there were an estimated 40,000 locks on the bridge, with this number likely exceeding several hundred thousand in subsequent years. While the exact number of locks is unknown, the weight of the locks is estimated to be around 45 tonnes.

Despite their romantic appeal, love locks have raised safety concerns in several cities worldwide. In some cases, the accumulation of locks has caused structural issues and even the collapse of bridges. For example, in 2014, the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris partially collapsed due to the weight of the love locks. Similarly, the Southgate footbridge in Melbourne, Australia, began to sag under the weight of around 22,000 love locks, prompting authorities to remove them in 2015.

The weight of the locks is not the only safety concern. The rust caused by the padlocks can also weaken bridges and other structures. In addition, the practice of throwing keys into the river contributes to environmental damage and water pollution. Furthermore, love locks have been classified as acts of vandalism in some cities, resulting in fines and removal.

In the case of Cologne's Hohenzollern Bridge, initial fears about the added weight causing safety issues have subsided. The bridge supports the weight of 1,200 heavy trains passing over it daily, and the estimated weight of the love locks is not considered a significant concern for the structure. However, the potential for corrosion and the visual impact of the locks on the bridge's aesthetics remain points of contention.

The popularity of the bridge as a tourist attraction

The Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne, Germany, has become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions due to its thousands of "love locks". The tradition of attaching padlocks to the bridge's railings is said to symbolise everlasting and unbreakable love between couples, friends, and family members. The keys are then thrown into the Rhine River below, making the commitment irreversible.

The love locks first began appearing on the bridge in 2008, and by 2009, the phenomenon had spread to Cologne. By 2011, it was estimated that there were around 40,000 locks on the bridge, with this number likely exceeding several hundred thousand today. The locks now stretch across the entire 400-metre length of the bridge, creating a colourful wall of metal.

The love locks are not just popular among locals but also tourists, who come to either attach their own locks or simply admire the thousands that are already there. The locks are in all shapes, sizes, and colours, with many featuring engravings, paintings, adornments, or decorations. Some locks stand out from the crowd, with unique designs or heartfelt messages.

The Hohenzollern Bridge is not just a symbol of love, but also of the city's history. The bridge was originally constructed at the beginning of the 20th century when Germany was ruled by the House of Hohenzollern. During World War II, the German Army blew up the bridge to prevent the Allies from entering Cologne. After the war, the bridge was reconstructed into its present-day form.

Today, the bridge is a testament to the resilience and spirit of both the city and its people. It is a place where locals and tourists alike come to declare their love, creating a vibrant and ever-changing display that has become an integral part of the cityscape.

How to get to the bridge

The Love Locks Bridge in Cologne, also known as the Hohenzollern Bridge or Hohenzollen Bridge, is conveniently located in the city centre. Here are some ways to get to the bridge:

By Foot

If you're coming from the train station or the Cologne Cathedral (also known as the Dom), it's just a short walk of about 10 minutes to get to the bridge. The bridge is located right behind the Cathedral, and the train station is literally underneath it. From the back entrance of the Cathedral, you can walk past the Museum Ludwig and across Heinrich-Böll-Platz to reach the footpath onto the bridge.

By U-Bahn (Subway)

You can take the U-Bahn (subway) and get off at one of the following stops:

• Dom Hauptbahnhof or Cologne Main Station (west of the Rhine) – served by lines 5, 16, and 18
• Deutz-Lanxess-Arena (east of the Rhine) – served by lines 3 and 4
• Deutz Bahnhof (east of the Rhine) – served by lines 1 and 9

By Train

All trains arriving in Cologne from the west pass through the Hohenzollern Bridge before reaching the central train station, which is located right underneath the Cathedral.

By Car

If you're driving, you can aim for the Deutz side of the river, as the bridge provides access to a few places to eat and drink, as well as the ability to walk along the riverside.

Frequently asked questions