Love Lock Bridge in Cologne, Germany

The Love Lock Bridge in Cologne, Germany is quickly becoming one of Cologne’s largest tourist attractions. The popular bridge is technically called the Hohenzollern bridge. The Hohenzollern bridge extends across the Rhine River. This bridge is used for foot traffic, bike traffic, and train traffic. As you can imagine, it is a pretty important bridge! Today, the bridge is more than a method to get from one place to another. In 2009, the popular phenomena of attaching love locks to city bridges spread to Cologne, Germany. Now, the Hohenzollern bridge is said to have over 40,000 love locks locked to it with this number increasing by the hundreds daily. The love lock bridge in Cologne has become so popular that it is even listed as a tourist site on the Cologne Sightseeing page. 

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Where To Lock Your Love

The bridge is littered with padlocks, bicycle chains, and combination locks of all different shapes, varying sizes, infinite colors, and detailed engravings. There are so many locks that it is difficult to find the perfect spot to lock your love. Insider Tip: The far end of the bridge isn’t overflowing with locks yet. There is plenty of space there, but not for long! Once you find that perfect spot, lock your love, and take a selfie (or three, for good measure). It is tradition to throw the key into the Rhine River below so that your love is eternal. Don’t forget to write a cute message too! 

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Did We Lock Our Love On The Love Lock Bridge in Cologne, Germany?

Unfortunately not. Unlike the Pont de Arts in Paris where there are dozens of men selling overpriced tiny locks and permanent markers for writing a message, the Cologne Bridge had zero lock sellers in the vicinity. I was shocked! We went back into town with the hopes of finding a store that sold locks, but we couldn’t find even a single one! Plan ahead if you want to add to your love lock to the love lock bridge in Cologne, Germany. 

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Love Lock Bridges in The News

On a slightly less romantic note, the locks have not only become popular, but have caused major issues on some bridges. Many of the European bridges in particular, cannot handle the rapidly increasing weight. The Unlock your love campaign started in Venice last year. It is a petition that can be signed to reduce the amount of love locks placed by tourists.

Recently after I published this post, French authorities removed the locks from the  Pont de Arts bridge in Paris. A sad day for lovers, but authorities claim it was a safety hazard and just had to be done. Luckily, the Cologne Bridge seems to have a strong infrastructure and plenty of space remaining.

So hurry and lock your love before the Germans change their minds like the rest of the love haters!

Click here to read more about Cologne and for information on how to find the love lock bridge in Cologne, Germany. Have you locked your love anywhere in the world?