The Butchers' Bridge

A modern contrast in the middle of Ljubljana’s old town, Butcher’s Bridge feels deliberately bold. The bronze sculptures immediately grab your attention — raw, expressive, and slightly unsettling. They’re textured, almost melting into themselves, and invite you to walk around them rather than just glance and move on. It’s not decorative art; it’s confrontational in places. The bridge itself is simple and contemporary, with the familiar padlocks lining the rails adding a softer, romantic layer against the dramatic statues. It’s a short crossing, but one that makes you pause rather than rush across. Worth visiting for the sculptures alone — especially if you enjoy modern art with edge.

The Butchers’ Bridge is a modern pedestrian glass bridge with intriguing sculptures. It connects the Central Market, designed by architect Jože Plečnik, with the Petkovškovo nabrežje embankment, spanning the Ljubljanica River. It is informally known as the “Bridge of Love” and is covered with numerous love locks.

It’s a bridge! Some interesting statues of organs (as in the body parts) line the walls. Best part is they have a free WC under the bridge 😝

All of the bridges in Central Ljubljana are different. This one has metal railings and lots of locks attached to it. It offers a nice view over the river and you can buy a ticket for the boat ride from the middle of the bridge

Unique contemporary bridge with a lot of padlocks and some interesting sculptures. Nice views of Ljubljana's old town center. Recommend walking by.

Despite its name, the bridge is a modern pedestrian-only bridge that combines a romantic atmosphere with contemporary art installations. It spans the Ljubljanica River, connecting Vodnik Square with Petkovškovo nabrežje. Originally designed in the 1930s by Jože Plečnik, the bridge remained unbuilt for decades and was eventually completed in 2010 in a modern style—not in Plečnik’s design, but as a realization of his unfulfilled vision in a contemporary form. The name comes from the former slaughterhouse and butcher shops that once stood nearby. Today, the bridge is best known as a romantic spot, where couples leave padlocks on the railings to symbolize their love.

1 | Mesarski Most (Butcher’s Bridge) is a pedestrian bridge completed in 2010 that spans the Ljubljanica River, linking Ljubljana’s Central Market to the Petkovškovo embankment. Its modern steel and glass design is complemented by dramatic bronze sculptures by Jakov Brdar. 2 | The bridge is known locally as Ljubljana’s "Love Bridge". Honestly, I’m not a big fan of the habit of damaging public spaces with padlocks. However, in this case, it’s fairly photogenic, and if the city is okay with it, I accept it. 3 | The bridge is pedestrian-only, and you’ll likely come across it while walking around Ljubljana.

It’s nice to put on padlocks on the bridge, but I think the frogs should be spared from getting locked