Photo: Dennis Grombkowski/GETTY IMAGES
Thousands upon thousands of locked padlocks can be seen affixed to the fence across the unpronounceable Hohenzollernbruecke bridge in Cologne, Germany. The phenomenon called Love Locks (or Love Padlocks), which many believe to have originated from Italy, is a new kind of vandalism where lovebirds lock padlocks bearing their names against fences, gate, bridge or similar public place to symbolize their everlasting love.
According to Wikipedia(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_padlocks), Love padlocks have existed for quite some time, though there are no certain sources for their origin. In Europe, love padlocks started appearing in the early 2000s. In Rome, the ritual of affixing love padlocks to the bridge Ponte Milvio can be attributed to the book I Want You by Italian author Federico Moccia, who later made it into the film-adaptation Ho voglia di te.
Photo: Dennis Grombkowski/GETTY IMAGES
Photo: Dennis Grombkowski/GETTY IMAGES
Photo: Dennis Grombkowski/GETTY IMAGES
Love locks are a growing phenomenon in cities across Europe. They have even appeared along the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet on Vancouver Island in Canada.
Photo: Dennis Grombkowski/GETTY IMAGES
Photo: Dennis Grombkowski/GETTY IMAGES
Photo: Dennis Grombkowski/GETTY IMAGES