Love Locks on the Makartsteg Footbridge in Salzburg, Austria

Note: click photo for larger view. ©2014, David A. Porter

When you’re strolling the historic streets of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, and you happen upon a footbridge across the river, it is extremely likely that you’ll see love locks clasped to the bridge’s fencing. I snapped this photograph on the Makartsteg Footbridge in Salzburg as our Viking River Cruises guide walked us through this historic city.

This century-old tradition has lovers inscribing a lock with their initials, affixing the lock to a popular footbridge, and tossing the key into the river to symbolize their unbreakable and eternal love.  Remarkably, this has become such a popular tradition that many cities around the world are struggling with what some call litter and vandalism on their most cherished public walkways.

Whether you view this practice as a romantic gesture, or as a popular form of vandalism, be prepared for crowds snapping photographs and affixing new love locks to celebrate their love.

What say you?  Is this vandalism or a touching celebration of love?  Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
 
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