As divorce rates climb in Germany, more couples are turning to “love locks” on bridges as symbols of lasting bonds. On Frankfurt’s Eiserner Steg bridge, the number of locks has surged from 15,000 in 2014 to over 50,000 in 2025, weighing nearly 5 tons.
Germany records about 350,000 marriages annually, with 37 percent ending in divorce. Officials note the locks add extra weight to the bridge but also attract tourists. The tradition, popularized by the 2007 Italian film Ho voglia di te, has since spread worldwide, from Japan to Ireland, as a modern version of ancient wishing rituals.