Love padlocks in Tatra Mountains pose threat to hikers’ safety, officials say
Love padlocks are a popular trend worldwide, including in Poland, and can be seen on bridges in major cities. However, an issue arises when these padlocks are attached to chains intended for hikers and mountaineers.
Love is a beautiful emotion that people often wish to share with the world. They post adorable photos on social media, introduce their partners to their families, and plan a bright future together. Sometimes, this bond is so strong that not even a hacksaw can break it. To symbolise their eternal love, couples affix padlocks inscribed with their initials to bridges around the world, throwing the keys into rivers to signify that their love is unbreakable.
Tatra National Park officials appeal to couples in love
Couples in love are also seen in Zakopane. Those who share a passion for climbing or hiking the Tatra Mountains explore the trails and conquer various peaks together. However, their actions committed out of affection can inadvertently endanger other tourists.
The case of Love padlocks attached to chains mounted on steeper rocks, originally intended to assist mountaineers in navigating challenging sections, is becoming a growing concern. These metal hoops, meant for safety, are sometimes repurposed for romantic declarations.
On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, the Tatra National Park issued an appeal to couples in love. A Facebook post stated, "Dear tourists, leave love in your hearts, not on chains! Let's prioritise safety in the mountains and the cleanliness of the Tatras. Padlocks attached to chains and other artificial aids on Tatra trails are removed by our staff."
The post was accompanied by a photograph from the descent from Giewont, where chains are attached to the rocks. Two couples had taken the opportunity to seal their love at this spot, as evidenced by padlocks with their initials shown in the photo.
Internet users comment on the case
The Tatra National Park's appeal has ignited a discussion about the behaviour of couples in love. Internet users widely agree that attaching padlocks to chains is extremely irresponsible. One commenter wrote, "Some people must be spending too much time in the sun in these mountains to come up with such stupid ideas."
Another suggested a solution to encourage lovers to leave their padlocks elsewhere: "Consider installing boxes with notebooks at the summits where people can sign in and express their feelings. I have seen these in Italian Alps and Dolomites, and they are very popular. Attaching padlocks to chains is a terrible idea."
More about #MyImpact
- Warsaw included on The Economist’s list of world’s most liveable cities in 2024
- Member of LGBT+ community pleads for Poland’s head of diplomacy Radosław Sikorski’s help
- Poznan's officials promise of help after tragic fire goes unfulfilled, victims' pleas ignored
- Father of a 3-year-old child on the spectrum struggles with misunderstanding