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Ponte Vecchio

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This is the oldest bridge in the city and until the construction of Ponte alla Carraia in 1218, it was the only one in Florence.
In the times of the Roman Florentia there was already a wooden bridge very close to where today's bridge stands. This was substituted by one in stone in 123 BC.
In the thirteenth century shops began to spring up along the bridge, the majority of which were butchers. However, because of the bad smell that wafted up from them into the Vasari corridor that ran along the top of the bridge, Grand Duke Ferdinando I had them moved elsewhere in 1593, and made sure they were replaced with goldsmiths shops (which brought in double the rent), that still line the sides of the bridge today.
In 1944, the Germans blew up all but one of the bridges over the River Arno as they retreated north after having occupied the city. Ponte Vecchio was spared, but at the expense of the surrounding areas, which were systematically razed to the ground by the Nazis

Jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio

Today the vendors are mostly goldsmiths and jewelers, but that has not always been the case. Originally, the bridge had been home to Florence’s vast, open-air meat market, but the butchers were banished in 1593 ...

Jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio

Today the vendors are mostly goldsmiths and jewelers, but that has not always been the case. Originally, the bridge had been home to Florence’s vast, open-air meat market, but the butchers were banished in 1593 ...

Ponte Vecchio and the Lungarno

They were currently perched above the Ponte Vecchio—the medieval stone bridge that serves as a pedestrian walkway into the old city.

Ponte Vecchio and the Lungarno

They were currently perched above the Ponte Vecchio—the medieval stone bridge that serves as a pedestrian walkway into the old city.

Ponte Vecchio at night

They were currently perched above the Ponte Vecchio—the medieval stone bridge that serves as a pedestrian walkway into the old city.

Fireworks over Ponte Vecchio

They were currently perched above the Ponte Vecchio—the medieval stone bridge that serves as a pedestrian walkway into the old city.

Ponte Vecchio at night

They were currently perched above the Ponte Vecchio—the medieval stone bridge that serves as a pedestrian walkway into the old city.

Ponte Vecchio

They were currently perched above the Ponte Vecchio—the medieval stone bridge that serves as a pedestrian walkway into the old city.

Ponte Vecchio at night

They were currently perched above the Ponte Vecchio—the medieval stone bridge that serves as a pedestrian walkway into the old city.

Ponte Vecchio at sunset

They were currently perched above the Ponte Vecchio—the medieval stone bridge that serves as a pedestrian walkway into the old city.

Ponte Vecchio at night

They were currently perched above the Ponte Vecchio—the medieval stone bridge that serves as a pedestrian walkway into the old city.

Ponte Vecchio

They were currently perched above the Ponte Vecchio—the medieval stone bridge that serves as a pedestrian walkway into the old city.

Ponte Vecchio

They were currently perched above the Ponte Vecchio—the medieval stone bridge that serves as a pedestrian walkway into the old city.

Ponte Vecchio and the Lungarno

They were currently perched above the Ponte Vecchio—the medieval stone bridge that serves as a pedestrian walkway into the old city.

Jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio Jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio
Jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio Jewelry on the Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio and the Lungarno Ponte Vecchio and the Lungarno
Ponte Vecchio and the Lungarno Ponte Vecchio and the Lungarno
Ponte Vecchio at night Ponte Vecchio at night
Fireworks over Ponte Vecchio Fireworks over Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio at night Ponte Vecchio at night
Ponte Vecchio Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio at night Ponte Vecchio at night
Ponte Vecchio at sunset Ponte Vecchio at sunset
Ponte Vecchio at night Ponte Vecchio at night
Ponte Vecchio Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio Ponte Vecchio
Ponte Vecchio and the Lungarno Ponte Vecchio and the Lungarno