Ponte Vecchio

Name: Ponte Vecchio
Address: Ponte Vecchio, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy, Florence, Florence, IT

Landmarks ·Florence

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About

Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone bridge over the Arno in Florence, Tuscany, known for its shops and the Vasari Corridor above them.

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Florence’s oldest bridge over the Arno.
Three segmental arches, with a 30-metre central span and two 27-metre side spans.
The only Florence bridge spared destruction during the German retreat in August 1944.

Jewellers’ shopsThe shops’ entrances and displays face the pedestrian walkway.Along both sides of the bridge
Arno viewsAt the bridge’s crest, a three-arch loggia opens east and an open space looks west.At the bridge’s crest
Cellini bustRaffaello Romanelli’s bust of Benvenuto Cellini was unveiled on 26 May 1901.On the bridge26 May 1901
Torre dei MannelliThis tower at the southeast corner was built to defend the bridge.Southeast corner of the bridge

Know before you go Tips for your visit

The crossing links the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria side of the river with Palazzo Pitti and Santo Spirito in Oltrarno.
Look for the weathered dedication stone in the central loggia commemorating the bridge’s collapse and rebuilding.

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The projecting rear shops over the river rest on brackets called sporti; the shop displays projecting over the roadway are called madielle.
Ponte Vecchio - Wikipedia
Ponte Vecchio is mentioned in Puccini’s aria “O mio babbino caro.”
Ponte Vecchio - Wikipedia
The bridge’s builder is uncertain: accounts name Taddeo Gaddi and Neri di Fioravanti.
Ponte Vecchio - Wikipedia

996A bridge at this crossing first appears in a document.
1117A flood destroyed the bridge; it was rebuilt in stone.
1215Buondelmonte de’ Buondelmonti was killed here; a stone inscription marks the location.
1333A flood swept the bridge away, leaving two central piers.
1345The present stone bridge was rebuilt.

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1442The city assigned bridge shops to greengrocers and butchers so they could dispose of waste in the river.
1495The Comune sold the shops to private, secular and religious owners, many of whom extended them over the water.
1565Cosimo I commissioned Giorgio Vasari to build the corridor above the bridge, linking Palazzo Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti.
RenaissanceGoldsmiths replaced the bridge’s earlier butchers and tanners.
August 1944Swiss consul Karl Steinhauslin worked to prevent the bridge’s destruction. Buildings at both ends were destroyed, blocking access.
November 1966The flood badly damaged the shops, while the piers, abutments and arches withstood the water. Restoration followed in 1967–1968.

Where

Ponte Vecchio, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy, Florence

Why did goldsmiths replace the earlier traders on Ponte Vecchio?

Their shops proved more profitable and less smelly.

Did the city remove love locks from Ponte Vecchio?

In 2005–2006, the city removed 5,500 locks from around Cellini’s bust because they damaged the bust and railings.

Can visitors enter the Vasari Corridor above Ponte Vecchio?

The upper walkway is private; visitors view it from street level.

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