Heading toward the back of the cathedral, make your way toward Cologne’s famous railway bridge—the Hohenzollern Bridge—which is one of the city's iconic landmarks.

This bridge spanning the Rhine River was built between 1907 and 1911.

It is covered in padlocks, which symbolize eternal love. This tradition began in Italy—specifically on the Ponte Milvio in Rome—and subsequently spread across Europe. In Cologne, these charming, colorful, and romantic padlocks are scattered along the entire 400-meter length of the Hohenzollern Bridge. Couples attach their padlocks—often engraved with their names—and then, together, toss the key into the Rhine River, thereby immortalizing their eternal love! Beautiful, romantic, and simple!

You will find padlocks of all sizes and colors—from the simple to the eccentric—all serving to ensure that true love never ends!

Continue a little further along and pause to take some beautiful photos, framing the bridge in the foreground with the magnificent cathedral in the background. Truly unforgettable.

Address

Hohenzollernbrücke