About the spa
The Bridge of Love in Vrnjačka Banja
The small bridge over the Vrnjačka river in the centre of the spa would go unnoticed if it were not covered in thousands of padlocks. Couples lock them on and throw the key into the river, trusting that their love will last. Behind the custom is a story from the First World War and a poem by Desanka Maksimović.
The legend of Nada and Relja
The story begins just before the First World War. Nada, a schoolteacher from Vrnjačka Banja, and Relja, an officer in the Serbian army, fell in love and used to meet on the bridge over the river. Relja went to war, which took him as far as Greece. There he fell in love with another woman and forgot Nada. She waited for him, never came to terms with the loss and, so the legend says, died of grief.
Taking Nada's fate as a warning, the girls of the spa began going to the bridge in the dead of night to lock padlocks bearing their own names and the names of the ones they loved, throwing the keys into the river so that their love would stay locked forever.
The poem that kept the story alive
The legend would probably have stayed a local tale had Desanka Maksimović not written it down. The poet wrote "Prayer for Love" („Molitva za ljubav”) about Nada, and it was this poem that made the bridge known across the country. Desanka was a frequent guest at the spa, and every May the town holds days dedicated to her; see our guide to events in Vrnjačka Banja.
The custom today
The bridge is now one of the most photographed spots in the spa. Newlyweds come straight from the wedding, couples come on anniversaries, and many visitors lock a padlock on their very first visit. Between the stalls and kiosks on the way to the bridge you can buy padlocks of every colour and size, some engraved with names.
Similar bridges exist in many cities, and some — such as bridges in Paris and Moscow — have had to be cleared of padlocks because of the weight and to protect their appearance. The Vrnjačka bridge is small and the padlocks have become part of its identity; before adding yours, check there is room, and don't hang them on neighbouring railings or trees.
Make the bridge part of a walk
The Bridge of Love lies on the classic walk through the centre: from the Topla voda spring through the park, along the river to the bridge and on towards the Snežnik spring. On the way you pass villas that tell their own story of the spa — we guide you through them in our page on the architecture of Vrnjačka Banja. If you are coming as a couple for a short stay, see our plan for a romantic weekend in the spa.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Bridge of Love in Vrnjačka Banja?
In the centre of the spa, over the Vrnjačka river, a short walk from the promenade and the park. The way there is lined with kiosks and street stalls.
Where can I buy a padlock for the Bridge of Love?
The stalls and kiosks on the way to the bridge sell padlocks in every colour and size, often with names and dates engraved on request.
Which poem is dedicated to the Bridge of Love?
Desanka Maksimović turned the story of Nada and Relja into the poem "Prayer for Love" („Molitva za ljubav”), and that poem is what saved the legend from being forgotten.