Love locked forever.

Love padlocks have been appearing around Europe since the early 2000’s. Why this newly formed custom has taken off, well no one really knows. The tradition is thought by some, to have originated in China. But in the romantic city of Rome, Italy, romantic sweetheats have been influence by the book ‘I Want You’ by Italian author Federico Moccia. His novel features a young couple attaching a lock to Rome’s Milvian Bridge as a sign of eternal love.

Love padlocks maintain the same basic idea around the world. Newly wedded couples attach padlocks to bridges to bring secure their love and their new lives together. Couples attach padlocks for good luck for their love. Some couples attach padlocks as purely a symbol of their love.

However, these sweethearts taking part in the newly adored custom of love is make sure their names are together forever. Engraving their initials into the lock before throwing away the key to remain lost for eternity, and hopefully their love will last just as long.

As referenced in Moccia's story, love padlocks on the Ponte Milvio, a bridge over the Tiber in Northern Rome, Italy.

By heb@Wikimedia Commons (mail) (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons



Travelling for love? Take a look at this romantic feature on love padlocks around the world.

Thinking of visiting Helsinki? Get the run down on what you need to know here.

Travelling for romance?

Romance is often the reason for travelling. Couples flying half way across the world to celebrate their connections, marriages, or because they just want to get away. They main point of the matter is that they are in love.

Love padlocks are a custom in which couples affix a padlock to a fence, gate, or bridge (any public space over water) and throw the key into the surrounding rivers and lakes to symbolize their everlasting love.

This custom has taken off around the world. Sweethearts have been founded declaring their love from Europe to Asia to Australia, affixing padlocks to their cities structures.

Love padlocks covering a bridge in Prague, Czech Republic.

By Matěj Baťha [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Mount Huang, a bridge in the mountain range of southern Anhui province in eastern China.

By Yabbox (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

A purpose built iron trees situated on the Vodootvodny Canal in Moscow

By A.Savin (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Most Liubavi ‘The Bridge of Love’ in Vrnjacka Banja, Serbia.

AcaSrbin, Panoramio [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Love padlocks covering a bridge in Donetsk, Ukraine.

By MOs810 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

If your reason for travel is romance, AirBnB is the perfect place to organize accommodation. With many residencies around the world, you can find the perfect place for your romantic getaway near any of these love padlock locations, and more.

Would you prefer a vintage feel to your stay? Have a gander at these rooms.

Maybe you and your partner are feeling a bit King and Queen-ish (or Queen and Queen-ish, King and Kin-ish, love it love after all!). These castles will provide you with your throwns. 

Or maybe (like me) your partner is just a little on the odd side. These places are perfect for the left-of-centre personalities.


Visit AirBnB for more information.