Padlocks on Tower Bridge

[Marmora Man]

Walking over Tower Bridge this morning I noticed a number of padlocks, mostly single but occasionally in pairs, locked to the railings. On some, but not all, there were names or phrases written in a language I didn't recognise.

I assume they represent some form of pledge of love / memory or similar - but have no idea where the idea originated. Is it particular to one country and maybe brought over by tourists? Is it a local London "thing", or some other UK based idea?

Just wondering.

[womanofdulwich]

All over Italy to do with a film set in Rome and LOVE as you deduced can't remember the name of it!

[Loz]

As usual, Google and Wikipedia are your friends.

[oilworker]

Mrs O and I were recently in Liguria at a place called "Lovers'Walk" (Via del"Amore) where there are lots of these things. Some local wag had decided to add a tampon to the display. Let's hope that particular custom doesn't catch on in London.

[Jeremy]

I've seen them in China too.

[Michael Palaeologus]

Oh, now I understand. I have just got back from a holiday in Hungary and saw these in Sopron and Budapest.

[Carrie]

In Moscow there is a whole bridge covered with thousands of padlocks - think it is a custom to put a padlock on a bridge when you get married

[computedshorty]

Bloody Padlocks every time I leave my Zimmmer outside a shop someone locks another one on it.

[HAL9000]

Headline: Padlock manufacturers beat recession as marketing campaign goes viral.