WILLEMSTAD - The historic cannon located along the waterfront in Punda is increasingly being used as an alternative to the now-missing Punda Hearts, where tourists and couples once attached their love locks. 

After the heart-shaped art installation collapsed under the weight of the numerous locks, visitors have now turned their attention to the monumental cannon, much to the dismay of many locals and heritage enthusiasts. 

Social media has seen angry reactions to this new trend. Many residents of Curaçao and heritage lovers have voiced their concerns on Facebook, expressing that they find it disrespectful to attach locks to a historic object that is an important symbol of Curaçao's maritime past. The cannon, originally meant to serve as a piece of cultural heritage, is becoming increasingly disfigured by the many metal locks, according to the Curaçao Visitors Forum. 

The Punda Hearts installation had to be removed last year after it collapsed due to the heavy weight of the locks. With this issue now shifting to the cannon, some fear that this historic monument may also suffer damage. 

Photo credit: Gino Wilffert