| Ponte Vecchio & Arno River tips and photos posted by real travelers and Florence locals. • 320 Photos
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 by smschley
This type of commerce has historical reference. Originally the bridge housed vendors such as butchers, grocers and blacksmiths, but in 1593 the Medici grand duke Ferdinand I couldn't stand the stench as he crossed the bridge. So he threw them and installed 41 goldsmiths and eight jewelers. The bridge has been devoted solely to these two trades ever since.
Built in ancient times by the Etruscans, the bridge has weathered many storms - and storming by invading legions. Because of its location over the widest part of the Arno River, the bridge has been rebuilt and restored many times throughout its long history. And it has changed with the times. Over the next two hundred years an upper level was added, as was a back row of shops. All this increased trade not only helped Florence grow, but the new shops also gave the bridge structure and strength. It helped in 1966, when a massive flood wiped out the shops on the bridge, but the bridge itself was strong enough to withstand the roaring waters.
The Ponte Vecchio is the only of Florence's bridges to have survived WWII. The Nazi’s had orders to destroy the bridge but they couldn't bring themselves to do it so they blew up the ancient buildings on either end instead to block it off from the advancing allies. Leave a Comment Address: Via Por Santa Maria/Via Guicciardini
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 Ponte Vecchio by Blatherwick
In order to connect Palazzo Vecchio with the Palazzo Pitti, in 1565 Cosimo I de Medici required Giorgio Vasari to build the famous "corridor", and to enforce the prestige of the place, in 1593 he prohibited butchers to have their banche on the bridge, which were then immediately replaced by gold merchants' ones. The corporative association of butchers had occupied alone the bridge since 1442.
During World War II, the Ponte Vecchio was not destroyed by Germans during their retreat of 1944, while all the other bridges were. The access to Ponte Vecchio was however closed by destroying the buildings on the two ends. This was allegedly because of an express order by Hitler. Leave a Comment Address: Arno RiverDirections: Via Por Santa Maria/Via Guicciardini
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The most famous bridge in Florence, it was first built in the Middle Ages and was loned with butcher shops and the such. When the Vasari Corridor was built in 1565, The Medici Dukes prohibited them from selling there. This is one part to increase the prestige and one part to reduce the smell. In their place, jewelers set up shop and they have been there ever since.
The Ponte Vecchio today is one of the most famous sites in all of Florence.
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 by rcspartyLeave a Comment
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I had read the history in my guide book on this tourist attraction, but didn't realize the gold merchants are still here today! Every shop seemed to sell the expensive version of jewelry. Very fancy little shops, with safes & marble floors. Lots of people on this ancient bridge make it quite an experience, whether you shop or not. I did not.
Some painters sell small artwork outside, too. A good-looking man had his pet bird with him, as he painted in the shade of the buildings. Leave a Comment
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 Artist in Ponte Vecchio by pili
Durante el verano, hay muchos artístas callejeros y pintores a lo largo del puente. Está repleto de gente durante el verano, pero es un paseo que no debe perderse!! Leave a Comment
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 Ponte Vecchio by pili
Today, the bridge is home to numerous jewelry shops selling antique and designer jewelry. The central point of Ponte Vecchio opens up into an area with stunning views of the river Arno.-
Es el puente más antiguo de Florencia. Fue construído en el año 1345 y fue el único que no fue destruido durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Actualmente el puente está lleno de negocios que venden fundamentalmente joyas de oro y antiguedades. Son especialmente bellas las joyas artesanales, estilo florentino, y los precios son más que razonables. El centro del puente, es un lugar ideal para disfrutar de bellísimas vistas del rio Arno Leave a Comment
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The first thing I have to say is: it's incredible how those houses don't fall!!
Having said that, Ponte Vecchio is too cute! Unfortunately I had to see it in a rush, because we were almost losing our train, and it was a bad idea to leave it to the last minute, because I would have appreciated a few more minutes exploring it. I didn't have a close look to the shops on the bridge, but it seemed to me they were mostly jewelry shops.
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Ponte Vecchio, the oldest surviving bridge in the city, was built in 1345, the last in a succession of bridges and fords on the site that dated back to Roman times. Designed by Giotto's pupil Taddeo Gaddi, it was originally the domain of blacksmiths, butchers and tanners. They were reviled for their noise and stench and were evicted in 1593 by Duke Ferdinando I to be replaced by jewellers and goldsmiths. The elevated Corridoio Vasariano runs along the eastern side of the bridge, above the shops. Giorgio Vasari designed the corridor in 1565 to allow the Medici family to move about their residences without having to mix with the public. Leave a Comment
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 Ponte Santa Trinita by viddra
At the entrances to the bridge, you can see fine statues representing the four seasons, Francavilla’s Spring, Cacini’s Summer and Autumn, and Landini’s Winter. Leave a Comment
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