Ponte Vecchio: Florence’s Most Famous Bridge

The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), Florence’s famous and historic bridge, is the oldest bridge over the Arno River. Its original purpose was to allow the Medici family, the leading family of the time, to cross between Palazzo Pitti and Palazzo Vecchio without being seen by the public.

Today, Ponte Vecchio is of course a popular tourist attraction. Especially from the outside of the bridge, on the edge of the Arno River, you can catch great photos.

Built in 1345, it is the only bridge in Florence that was not destroyed in World War II. The bridge, which has always been full of shops until today, was once a bridge where tanneries and iron workshops were located, but this situation must have disturbed Duke Ferdinand I, because today it is full of jewelers. The gold in the jewelers, which are mostly organized according to Arab culture, is big and flashy.

There are gaps between the jewelry shops on Ponte Vecchio from where you can have a panoramic view of the city. You can take a photo in front of them by noticing these gaps as you cross the bridge.