Photos of Cologne's Love Locks Bridge That Prove Love is Alive
In the summer of 2008, padlocks engraved with initials and decorated with stickers and ribbons started to appear on the railings of Cologne’s Hohenzollern Bridge. Couples would fix their love lock, meant to symbolise everlasting and unbreakable love, to the bridge and throw the key into the tumbling river below them.
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Nine years later, around 300,000 padlocks have been added, creating a colourful wall stretching across the entire length of the 400-metre (1,312-foot) bridge.
Deutsche Bahn officials initially feared that the added weight would create safety issues, and considered removing the padlocks. As 1,200 heavy trains cross the bridge every day, fans of the romantic gesture protested, and the train company quickly vouched not to take the locks down after all.
The padlocks have become an integral part of the cityscape, and removing them now seems unthinkable. The bridge is one the city’s most romantic spots, with locals, tourists and even the odd celebrity flocking to Cologne to lock their love eternally. Love wins!
To visit Love Locks Bridge, either take the U-Bahn lines 5, 16 and 18 and get off at Dom Hauptbahnhof, or lines 1 and 9 to Deutz Bahnhof.
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meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
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Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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