Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio, literally "the old bridge," is just that - an ancient bridge (an also one of the most beautiful and romanticized bridges in the world).

History of The Ponte Vecchio

In fact, it is the oldest bridge in Florence: a bridge on this site was first mentioned in 996 although there was probably one here since Roman times, and there are records of bridges in this location collapsing in 1117 and 1333. The current structure was erected in 1345 and has been attributed variously to Neri di Fioravante or, if Vasari is to be believed, to Taddeo Gaddi.

The Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge over the Arno in Florence to have survived WWII intact. All the others, including the Ponte Santa Trìnita, were destroyed by the retreating German army in 1944. The beauty and historical significance of the Ponte Vecchio was too overwhelming for the Nazis however, so instead they razed all the buildings on either side of the bridge to slow down the advancing allied forces (which accounts for the more contemporary structures on either end of the bridge). Most of the credit for this act goes to the German consul of occupied Florence, Gerhard Wolf. There is a plaque honoring Wolf in the arcaded side (east) of the center of the bridge:


The Ponte Vecchio also survived the great flood of 1996, although it did suffer substantial superficial damages, which were repaired.


Originally, the bridge was lined with the stalls of tanners, wool makers, butchers, and greengrocers, who were able to dispose of the byproducts of their trade by conveniently dumping them in the river below. In 1593, Ferdinand I, finding the squalor engendered by these professions out of keeping with the thoroughfare connecting the two main grand-ducal palaces (and not a fan of the smells supposedly!), had them replaced by decree with goldsmiths and jewelers.

Jewelry Shopping on The Ponte Vecchio

The bridge as you see it now is still lined with shops selling high quality gold and jewelry, as well as a few selling upscale gloves, neckties, scarves, and watches. Many of the stores have been here for generations, and are almost like jewels themselves, each tiny shop having a giant picture window with a gorgeous view of the Arno inside, and intricate wooden enclosures on the outside. The stores specialize in a variety of types of jewelry: Gherardi focuses on coral beads, for example, while Audemars Piguet specializes in fine Swiss watches. These are just a couple of the several stores on the bridge - you could spend most of a day if you visited each one.

The Ponte Vecchio Today

Aside from these more glittering attributes, the Ponte Vecchio boasts other points of interest. Above the stores on the left side of the bridge facing away from the city is the Corridoio Vasariano, or Vasarian Corridor, part of the covered passageway built by Vasari in 1565 to connect the Palazzo Vecchio and the Pitti Palace. At the center of the bridge there is a short break in the line of shops, giving pedestrians a view in either direction of the Arno. Here you will find a small fountain topped with the nineteenth-century bust of the famous renaissance goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini, erected on the 400th anniversary of his birth.


Recently it has become a tradition for couples to write their names on a padlock, or luchetto, attach it to the gate surrounding the bust, and throw the key into the Arno as a symbol of their undying attachment (this practice now carries a fifty euro fine). An interesting marble sundial is located near the statue, perched atop the roof of Old Bridge Galleries. Further down the bridge, towards the Oltrarno on your right, a seventeentha-century Madonna and Child with St. John attributed to Giovanni di S. Giovanni looks down from above Cassetta.


If you are in need of immediate refreshment, the Bar Pontevecchio is located at the end of the bridge as you cross to the opposite side of the Arno. Situated on the ground floor of Torre dei Mannelli, a 12th century tower, nice looking pizza-by-the-slice, panini, coffee, and a limited supply of gelato are available. There are tables both inside and outside, although you will pay significantly less if you drink your espresso standing at the counter. A five to ten minute ambling, unhurried walk will get you to the Pitti Palace.

The Ponte Vecchio in The Snow

On the evening of December 17, 2010, there was a rare Florentine snow fall. Here are a couple of photos from that night.




Here is a good video of the bridge with lots of different views: And here is the Ponte Vecchio on the map: