Love birds from Zurich and across Switzerland will be happy to learn that the Mühlesteg will be reinstalled in the city on December 8, after being taken away for renovations back in August. The so-called "Bridge of Love" will feature new lighting and other quality-of-life updates, restoring one of the many connections over the Limmat.
In a statement, the city council of Zurich confirmed that the Mühlesteg will be returning to Zurich soon. The rickety footbridge had connected the south of Bahnhofquai with the Limmatquai across the river, but was removed back in August because of desperately needed repair work.
The announcement caught the headlines as for decades the bridge had been used by newlyweds as a place to attach “love locks” - padlocks that often have special engravings, which are meant to signify the eternal love of marriage. With the authorities confirming that all the love locks left on the bridge would be destroyed, anyone who wanted to keep their lock was welcome to have it professionally removed by the local council before the bridge was repaired - eternal love is nothing when faced with bolt cutters, it seems.
The operation to restore the Bridge of Love began at 8pm on November 29, with the Mühlesteg set to be put back in three different stages. Minor disruption is expected on both sides of the river. Once installed, the bridge will boast new and renovated railings and flooring, and improved lighting.
At 4.15pm on December 8, the Bridge of Love will be ceremoniously reopened to the public by city councillor Simone Brander. City officials were also quick to confirm that couples and newlyweds will be able to attach their love locks to the bridge as usual, once it reopens.