A bridge that has survived the centuries
The Ponte Vecchio's current appearance dates back to 1345, when it was rebuilt after previous bridges were torn down by floods. Its distinctive feature is the shops built right on top of the structure - originally, butchers and tanners worked here, but in the 16th century they were replaced by goldsmiths and jewellers, who are still based here today.
A secret passageway overhead
The famous Vasari Passage, built in 1565 by Duke Cosimo I de' Medici, arches over the bridge. It connected the Palazzo Vecchio with the Palazzo Pitti and allowed the nobility to cross the city without having to move among the common people. Today this passageway is occasionally open to the public.
Both beautiful and sturdy
During the Nazi retreat from Florence in 1944, the German army was ordered to destroy all the bridges over the Arno River to slow the Allied advance. And indeed - all of Florence's other bridges were blown up.
But the Ponte Vecchio was not destroyed. According to some historians, when Adolf Hitler visited Florence in 1938, he was so taken by the beauty of the bridge that he ordered it to be spared.
Today, the centre of romance
The bridge is a popular place for lovers - many couples hang their love locks here and declare their feelings at sunset. The view of the bridge and its golden reflections in the Arno River is one of the most iconic images of Florence.
Whether you come here for history, art or just to soak up the atmosphere of the old days, the Ponte Vecchio will not disappoint. Just stop for a moment, listen to the bustle of the surrounding streets and imagine the stories this bridge has seen over the centuries of its existence.
