Sunday, January 19, 2025 Nestled in the picturesque spa town of Vrnjačka Banja, Serbia, lies Most Ljubavi, or “The Bridge of Love,” a site steeped in history, romance, and an enduring tale of heartbreak. This humble yet iconic bridge is credited with starting the global love lock phenomenon, a tradition that has since spread to romantic landmarks around the world. Visiting Most Ljubavi is not just a stroll across a bridge; it’s a journey into the heart of a poignant love story that continues to inspire couples to this day.
The story of Most Ljubavi dates back to the early 20th century during World War I. Nada, a schoolteacher from Vrnjačka Banja, and Relja, a Serbian officer, were deeply in love and often met on this very bridge. Their romance, however, was cut short when Relja was deployed to Greece and fell in love with another woman.
Heartbroken, Nada’s health deteriorated, and she passed away, leaving behind a legacy of love and sorrow. Moved by this tragic tale, women in Vrnjačka Banja began a tradition to protect their own love stories. They inscribed their names and those of their partners onto padlocks, securing them to the bridge’s railings as a symbol of their commitment and as a way to ward off heartbreak.
This practice laid the foundation for what we now know as the love lock tradition , inspiring couples worldwide to leave their own tokens of love on bridges and landmarks. Walking across Most Ljubavi is like stepping into a living museum of love. .
