The Tyrš Bridge has become a symbol of lovers, locking their locks there

Přerov - The new Tyrš Bridge, which connected the banks of the Bečva River in the center of Přerov this spring, has become a symbolic place for lovers. They lock padlocks on its railing, symbolizing their love and loyalty. The tradition of affirming a relationship originates from Italy and is inspired by the story of young lovers by the Italian writer Federico Moccia. Locking padlocks is slowly starting to spread in other places around the country.
     On the Tyrš Bridge, which cost 120 million crowns and was opened in May, about sixty padlocks have appeared in recent days. The architects from the studio of Alena Šrámková, who designed the bridge, were pleasantly surprised by the new Přerov custom. "We find it nice that the local people took the bridge as their own so quickly, that the bridge is alive and they formed a bond with it," said architect Tomáš Koumar from the Šrámková architekti studio to ČTK today.
     Padlocks are supposed to symbolize love and mutual bonds. The key is then thrown into the river, symbolizing the word "forever." Railings or grilles adorned with dozens or hundreds of padlocks can be found throughout Europe. They stand in cities like Milan, Moscow, the Hungarian Pécs, or the Lithuanian Vilnius.
     The tradition is also beginning to appear on domestic bridges. People can also see locks in Prague above Čertovka near the watermill of Velkopřevorský mlýn, which is located a few meters from Lennon’s Wall on Prague's Kampa. Tourists have even gotten used to hanging them on statues and the railings of Charles Bridge. There are also bridges for lovers in Děčín and Sokolov.
     The Tyrš Bridge in Přerov is now being presented at the sixth annual international festival of contemporary architecture Architecture Week Prague 2012 at the Summer Palace of Queen Anne at Prague Castle. The bridge, featuring original sculptural decorations, is achieving success among architects. The expert commission for architecture awards has now nominated it for the European Mies van der Rohe Award 2013. The nomination has also been approved by the board of the Czech Chamber of Architects.