I bet when you read the title you thought I was going to talk about the Locks of Love organization in the USA. Nope. It’s a great organization with an awesome goal of providing wigs for medical patients who lose their hair, but that’s not what I want to share today.
Today’s topic is more related to love of another kind- Love Locks. Since Valentine’s Day is coming soon, I thought I’d tell you about a cool idea that started in Rome and then moved on to the various bridges in Venice, Italy, including the Rialto Bridge. Lovers buy padlocks and take them to the bridges. They inscribe their initials on them and hook them to the bridge railings. The next step is to throw the key into the water as a symbol of eternal love and passion.
London’s new Millennium Bridge has also become the home of many love locks. The idea is quite romantic but the cities are not enamored of these locks. Each of the cities has cracked down on the idea but people are still doing it. The cities each have crews who come and cut them off periodically. What do you think? Eyesore or cool idea?
Rialto Bridge
Millennium Bridge, London
Jillian Chantal 
I love the idea really, and as long as they periodically cut them off, well they shouldn’t ban it.
By: gothicdweller on February 8, 2013
at 10:42 am
I think it’s lovely too, Paula but I can see the city wanting it to stop. It’s much nicer than graffiti, though. I like it.
By: Jillian Chantal on February 8, 2013
at 10:48 am
Cool(ish). I mean, the gesture is lovely, but I can see that it’s a pain in the butt for the guys who have to come cut them away. And now I feel like the Valentines equivalent of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas.
😉
By: livrancourt on February 8, 2013
at 10:42 am
LOL, Liv , you ole Grinch you! I’m like you. The idea is nice but it does make work for the “cut away” department. Better than cleaning graffiti though, I guess.
By: Jillian Chantal on February 8, 2013
at 10:49 am
I think it’s a lovely idea. I love the whole symbolism of it it. Throwing away the key is fabulous.
By: Darlene on February 8, 2013
at 11:07 am
I agree with that sentiment, Darlene- A neat jumping off point for a story, yeah?
By: Jillian Chantal on February 8, 2013
at 11:21 am
I like it. Hmmmmmmm
By: Darlene on February 8, 2013
at 11:22 am
I saw this idea for the first time last season on Amazing Race (which starts up pretty soon–Yay!). I say cool idea! Hey, some guy’s getting paid while he’s clearing those locks. That can’t be a bad thing, can it?
By: Laurie Ryan on February 8, 2013
at 11:11 am
True, Laurie. It gives that guy job security, right? LOL! I like it. So, did the folks on Amazing Race clip one on?
By: Jillian Chantal on February 8, 2013
at 11:20 am
They DID clip several on tied together by a ribbon, then gave the partners a HUGE ring of keys. They had to figure out which ones fit the locks.
By: Laurie Ryan on February 8, 2013
at 11:25 am
Haha. That’s awesome.
By: Jillian Chantal on February 8, 2013
at 11:31 am
I agree, I like the concept but not putting something up on public property for maintenance. boooo hisssss maybe have a place in the park where they would become art objects. 🙂
By: Lavada Dee on February 8, 2013
at 11:30 am
Yeah, Lavada but like Laurie said, the guy gets a paycheck. LOL It is sad that the city has to clean it up when they become so numerous as to be eyesores. I love the romance of the idea
By: Jillian Chantal on February 8, 2013
at 11:50 am
You know, this reminds me of the wall in Verona where they leave letters to Juliet. Italy has all the COOL ideas. 🙂
By: Laurie Ryan on February 8, 2013
at 11:33 am
Italy is indeed very cool and romantic and full of ideas that are both!
By: Jillian Chantal on February 8, 2013
at 11:49 am