The Locked Fence: Cologne's Mystery

The locked fence in Cologne is part of the Hohenzollern Bridge, which has become known as the Love Lock Bridge. The bridge is adorned with thousands of padlocks, which are placed there by couples to symbolise their love. The tradition is believed to have originated in Italy, with the first locks appearing on the bridge in 2008. The keys of the love locks are thrown into the Rhine River below, symbolising unbreakable love.

The history of the Love Lock Bridge

The Love Lock Bridge in Cologne, Germany, is a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike. The bridge, officially called the Hohenzollern Bridge, is adorned with thousands of padlocks, known as "love locks," which couples attach to its fence to symbolize their love. While the origin of this romantic tradition is disputed, with some believing it started in Italy and others attributing it to a Serbian folk tale, the bridge itself has a long history in Cologne.

The Hohenzollern Bridge was constructed beginning in 1907 to create new traffic routes, and it was inaugurated by German Emperor Wilhelm II in 1911. At the time, the bridge consisted of three parallel parts, each with three transverse arches, accommodating two railway tracks and a street. However, towards the end of World War II, the bridge was destroyed. It was rebuilt between 1948 and 1959 with a different architecture, including only the railway tracks and two sidewalks. The bridge is now one of the most used European railway bridges, with over 1,200 trains crossing it daily.

The love lock tradition on the Hohenzollern Bridge began in late summer 2008, and it has since become a beloved ritual for many. Couples attach padlocks to the bridge's fence, engraving or inscribing their names, initials, or other messages of love. They then throw the keys into the Rhine River below, symbolizing unbreakable love. While some consider these locks a form of vandalism, the city of Cologne has embraced the custom, promoting it as a tourist attraction.

The number of love locks on the Hohenzollern Bridge is impressive, with estimates ranging from 50,000 to several hundred thousand. The weight of the locks is a concern for bridge safety, and there is a constant debate about how much longer the locks can stay in place. However, for now, the allure and mystery of love endure, and romance is locked above the Rhine.

The origin of the love lock tradition

Another possible origin story leads to Serbia and the spa city of Vrnjačka Banja, where a similar ritual is said to have begun during World War I. According to the story, a local schoolmistress named Nada fell in love with a Serbian officer named Relja. However, Relja was sent to fight in Greece, where he fell in love with a local woman, and he and Nada broke off their engagement. Devastated, Nada died of a broken heart. To protect their own loves, young women in Vrnjačka Banja began inscribing their names and the names of their loved ones on padlocks and attaching them to the railings of the bridge where Nada and Relja used to meet.

Love locks began appearing in Europe in the early 2000s, with the Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne becoming a popular location for them. The bridge's railings, similar to chain-link fences, provide an ideal space for attaching padlocks. Since 2008, thousands of locks have been affixed to the bridge, with estimates of their number ranging from 50,000 to several hundred thousand.

The future of the love locks

The love locks in Cologne, adorning the Hohenzollern Bridge, are a popular attraction. The tradition is believed to have originated in Italy, with lovers affixing padlocks to bridges or fences, throwing the keys into the river to symbolise their unbreakable love. While the exact origin of the tradition is unknown, one theory traces it back to a Serbian tale from World War I. The story involves a schoolmistress named Nada, who fell in love with a Serbian officer named Relja. When Relja went to war in Greece and fell in love with another woman, Nada was heartbroken and died. To prevent a similar fate, young women in the town started inscribing love padlocks and attaching them to the bridge where the couple used to meet.

The love locks in Cologne began appearing in 2008, and their numbers have grown significantly since then. While the exact count is unknown, estimates range from 50,000 to over 200,000 locks, adding several tonnes of weight to the bridge. The keys to these locks lie at the bottom of the Rhine River, adding to the romantic allure of the ritual.

However, the future of the love locks in Cologne and elsewhere is uncertain. While some cities have embraced the trend, promoting the locks as tourist attractions, others have banned the practice. Love locks have been classified as vandalism in some places, and there have been instances of locks being removed due to safety concerns and aesthetic considerations.

In Cologne, there was a threat of removal by Deutsche Bahn, the bridge operator, but it was retracted due to public opposition. For now, the love locks remain, with the city's tourism website even directing visitors to the bridge. However, the weight of the locks and the safety of the bridge remain a concern, and it is unclear how long the locks will be allowed to stay.

The debate around love locks highlights the tension between romantic expression and public safety. While the locks symbolise love and commitment, they also pose potential risks and maintenance issues for bridges and other structures. As the trend spreads to more cities, local authorities will need to balance these considerations and make decisions that take into account the wishes of the community.

The weight of the locks and their impact on the bridge

The Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne, Germany, is adorned with thousands of padlocks—also known as "love locks"—that couples affix to its fences and railings to symbolise their everlasting love. The keys of these love locks are thrown into the River Rhine below, with the act of discarding the key symbolising unbreakable love.

The weight of the love locks has been a cause for concern for the city's civic authorities. While estimates vary, the locks are thought to weigh somewhere between two and 45 tonnes. In 2015, a physicist calculated, based on the density of locks per metre, that the number of locks on the bridge was somewhere between 50,000 and 200,000. This is a significant increase from the estimated 40,000 locks on the bridge in 2011.

The weight of the locks has led to debates about how much longer they can safely remain on the bridge. In some instances, love locks have been classified as acts of vandalism and removed by local authorities. For example, in 2014, the railing of the Pont des Arts bridge in Paris collapsed under the weight of the locks, and in Cologne, Deutsche Bahn (the bridge operator) has previously threatened to remove the locks but has relented in the face of public opposition.

Despite the concerns about the weight of the locks, they are currently not considered a danger to the bridge's statics. The locks are monitored, and their weight is distributed across the bridge's 340 railing sections, which are similar to chain-link fences. Along the southern footpath, free spaces can only be found in the last third of the bridge, but the northern footpath still offers plenty of space for more locks.

The variety of locks and their messages

The Love Locks in Cologne, Germany, are a testament to the enduring power of love, adorning the Hohenzollern Bridge with a spectrum of colours and shapes. Each lock tells a unique story of love, friendship, gratitude, or cherished memories. While some locks bear the classic symbols of heart shapes, lovers' initials, and dates, others stand out with their creative designs.

The variety of locks on display is remarkable. From sturdy, plain locks to those glittering with gold, silver, and rhinestones, each one adds a unique touch to the bridge's décor. Some locks take on unconventional shapes, such as swans, bicycles, handcuffs, or tin cans, while others are simple chains. One source mentions a wilted rose encased in a lock, adding a romantic, poetic touch. The locks also vary in size, with some being small and compact, while others are large and clunky, wrapping around the chains of the bridge.

The inscriptions on the locks are equally diverse. Some locks feature engravings of names, initials, and dates, while others bear short sayings or even photographs, commemorating special moments or declaring everlasting love. The languages on the locks also vary, reflecting the international appeal of the tradition, with tourists and locals alike participating.

The keys to these locks, symbolising unbreakable love, have been tossed into the Rhine River below, never to be used again. This act of locking in love and throwing away the key has become a ritual for couples, friends, and individuals wanting to commemorate their relationships.

The Hohenzollern Bridge, with its thousands of locks, stands as a testament to the enduring power of love and the creativity of those who cherish it. Each lock, with its unique shape, design, and inscription, adds a piece to the larger mosaic of love that covers the bridge, creating a captivating display of affection in the heart of Cologne.

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