Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio (or Old Bridge) is a world-famous landmark of Florence and is also the oldest crossing of the Arno River.

The bridge has been in that location since Roman times, the narrowest part of the modern stretch of the river, but its older versions have been continuously damaged and destroyed by floods.

Quick facts

• Name: Ponte Vecchio
• Location: Florence, Italy
• Built 1345
• Type of attraction: Architectural/Bridge
• Ticket price: Free

The bridge was rebuilt in 1345, this time with three arches, attributed to Taddeo Gaddi or Neri di Fioravante, after the Lungarno riverbanks were restored.

The Medici felt they required a connecting passage from the Uffizi to the Palazzo Pitti on the other side of the Arno when they relocated from Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti.

This would allow them to stay out of contact with the people they dominated. The result was Giorgio Vasari’s Corridoio Vasariano (Vasari Corridor), which runs over the small goldsmith shops on the Ponte Vecchio and was completed in 1565.

Since the 13th century, stores have been located on the Ponte Vecchio. Initially, there were a variety of establishments, including butchers and fishmongers, as well as tanners, whose “industrial waste” emitted a foul odor.

In 1593, Ferdinand I commanded that only goldsmiths and jewelers be permitted to have shops on the bridge, in order to increase the well-being of everyone, including themselves, as they went across it.

Today, Ponte Vecchio is one of the main attractions in Florence, where tourists walk among the shops, enjoy the view from the bridge and shop for jewelry.

Interesting facts about Ponte Vecchio

Here are some interesting facts about this ancient landmark:

• The famous Vasari Corridor which connects the Palazzo Vecchio with the Palazzo Pitti is running over Ponte Vecchio.
• Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge that survived destruction of the WW II.
• Nowadays, the bridge is famous for posh jewelry shops, but in the past it was place for butcher shops and it was not a pleasant place to be.

Read more: Interesting facts about Ponte Vecchio