The Old ‘Vecchio’ Bridge is indeed the oldest from the Florentine bridges, and the only one that survived from World War II.
The present bridge, replaced the old one destroyed by the Arno flood in 1333. Since the beginning on the bridge were plenty of small shops butcheries, smiths and cobblers manufactures, who
dump their waste straight into the river. The horrible smell around small factories was the main reason for building the famous Corridoio Vasariano. The arcaded construction of corridor connects
two Medici properties situated on the opposite banks of Arno: Palazzo Pitti and Palazzo Vecchio.
Finally, in 1593 Ferdinando I replaced the old merchants with goldsmiths and jewelers, who still to the present day offers their goods in small galleries and stands on the bridge.
The best view on Ponte Vecchio is from the neighbouring Holy Trinity bridge, or one of the Arno banks below. Many of small, medieval ‘botteghe’ shops detached to the bridge
together with Vasari Corridor make one of unforgettable landmarks of Florence.
Guides: florence
