Ponte Vecchio

Interesting facts

1. 1

   A decree in 1593 ordered the expulsion of butchers from the bridge to replace them with more prestigious goldsmiths and jewelers.

2. 2

   The Vasari Corridor was built in 1565 by Giorgio Vasari to allow Cosimo I de' Medici to walk from his office to his home without mingling with commoners.

3. 3

   During the retreat of German forces in 1944, all bridges in Florence were destroyed except for the Ponte Vecchio, allegedly on Hitler's direct orders.

4. 4

   The shops on the bridge are technically leased from the city, not owned by the jewelers.

5. 5

   The central section of the bridge features a bust of Benvenuto Cellini, the famous Florentine goldsmith and sculptor.

6. 6

   In 1966, a major flood of the Arno River caused severe damage to the jewelry shops, though the structure of the bridge held firm.

Overview

The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge crossing the narrowest point of the Arno River in Florence. It is world-renowned for the shops built along its span, which have been occupied by jewelers and goldsmiths since 1593. Originally, the bridge housed butchers and tanners until a decree mandated higher-end trades to reduce odors and refuse near the Medici family's passage. The Vasari Corridor, a private elevated walkway, runs above the shops and connects the Uffizi Gallery to the Pitti Palace. The current structure was reconstructed in 1345 following a devastating flood that destroyed its predecessor. It remains the only bridge in Florence that survived the destruction of World War II during the German retreat in 1944. Its unique design features three distinct arches, with the central arch being significantly larger than the two side arches.

Insider tips

• Walk the bridge early in the morning before the jewelry shops open to see the architecture without the crowds.

• Visit the Santa Trinita bridge nearby to capture the best wide-angle view of the Ponte Vecchio.

• Look for the small locks attached to the gate of the Benvenuto Cellini monument, despite official efforts to discourage the practice.