Viking Cruise #10: Love Locks Bridge of Cologne, Germany

Today's blog about our Viking River Cruise on the famous Rhine River takes us to Cologne, Germany, and the famous "Love Locks Bridge." In today's blog, you'll learn about the "love locks" and the history of this bridge that was once destroyed during World War 2!  

(Photo: Tom and Rob standing in front of the Love Locks or Hohenzollern Bridge of Cologne, Germany that spans the Rhine River. Credit: R.G.) 

WHAT IS THE LOVE LOCKS BRIDGE? Padlocks became symbols of love. Since 2008, lovers have attached them to bridges, gates, fences and similar public places. Often, the names or initials of the lovers are engraved and the key gets thrown away in order to demonstrate the indestructibility of the love between them.

The keys of the love-locks attached to the Cologne Hohenzollern Bridge are thrown into the river Rhine below. The Rhine, which traverses Germany, has seen millions of loving couples but keeps their secrets in its watery depths.

FUNNY STORY - Our tour guide reported that several people have been caught coming back with bolt cutters and cutting off the locks after they've either broken up or divorced their "Love Lock" mate. 

WHERE IS IT LOCATED? The Hohenzollern Bridge spans the Rhine River. To visit Love Locks Bridge from the city, either take the U-Bahn lines 5, 16 and 18 and get off at Dom Hauptbahnhof, or lines 1 and 9 to Deutz Bahnhof.

PLANNING A LOCK OF LOVE - Our friend Jim had the foresight to plan ahead for the Bridge. He's a true romantic.  His wife Sue said, "Jim knew about the bridge and engraved the lock and brought it with him (he knew we were touring the area);  the day we put it on the bridge happened to have been our anniversary too!!!  That Jim!!"  ! (Photos: Sue with the perfect lock, and close up of the lock. Credit: Sue and Jim L.)

HOW MUCH DO THE LOCKS WEIGH ON THIS BRIDGE? - City officials estimate the locks weigh an estimated 40 to 45 tons. In comparison, an ICE train weighs at least 400 tons.

SURPRISE! THE BRIDGE HAS A WEBSITE!  https://www.lovelockbridge.cologne/index.html. That's where I got the following history of the bridge below. 

A LOOK AT THE BRIDGE'S HISTORY - The Hohenzollern Bridge began construction in 1907. Four years later it was proudly inaugurated by the German Emperor Wilhelm II.

At that time, the bridge consisted of three parallel parts, each of them having three transverse arches to drive through. Two of them stretched over a pair of railway tracks, and the third one stretched over a street.

Shortly before World War II came to an end, the Hohenzollern Bridge was destroyed. 

Between 1948 and 1959 it was rebuilt with a different architecture. Only the railway tracks and two sidewalks have been re-established.

STATUES AT BRIDGE ENDS -  At each end of the bridge, two statues of troopers were set up. They show Prussian Kings and Emperors of the Family of Hohenzollern. 

FAST FACTS -  Today, Hohenzollern Bridge has a length of about 400 meters (almost a quarter of a mile). It is crossed by more than 1,200 trains each day and thus, it is one of the most used European railway bridges.

NEXT: Stumble Stones, Dwarves and Dunkin!