Florence’s oldest bridge, the iconic Ponte Vecchio has seen four centuries of art, jewellers and beautiful sunsets.
Goldsmiths and jewellers moved in to the shops along the ground floor of Florence’s Ponte Vecchio after a decree in 1593 ordered that all butchers be removed due to the unwholesome smell. Over four hundred years later, and they are still there, outnumbered only by the hordes of tourists who flock here every day to marvel at the medieval design and fascinating history of the famous old bridge.No trip to the city is complete without a stroll across Florence’s oldest bridge, which has connected the two banks of the Arno since 1345. The bustling masses of tourists during daylight hours attract street performers and artists hawking their wares, creating a unique carnivalesque atmosphere. A wander through the crowds will be rewarded, however, with exquisite views along the river from the central viewing balconies. When evening falls, the shutters come down, the crowds abate and the bridge becomes the perfect place for a romantic stroll. The sunset covers the city in a brilliant haze and as dusk descends, the banks light up, turning the river into a shimmering ribbon of gold, with the bridge offering superb views of the city nightscape.The Ponte Vecchio has won many admirers down through the centuries but perhaps the most infamous was Adolf Hitler, who, legend has it, ordered that the bridge be spared destruction at the hands of the retreating German army during World War II. And he was not the first powerful European figure to influence the bridge’s history the Grand Duke Cosimo of the ruling Medici family had the Vasari Corridor (Corridoio Vasariano) built here in 1565 so that he could enjoy the walk from his home in the Palazzo Pitti to work in the town hall (Palazzo Vecchio) in peace.Another local legend states that lovers who fasten a padlock to the bridge and throw the key into the water will be forever united. This has led to damage, with thousands of locks having to be removed regularly by city authorities and to a €50 fine for any hapless romantic caught tying something the bridge. Still, whether it’s for romance, history or stunning vistas, the yellow-stoned Ponte Vecchio continues to hold a special allure well worth the risk.
