Things to See and Do in Florence Italy

Ponte Vecchio in Florence

January 25, 2012

The Ponte Vecchio (“Old Bridge”) in Florence is one of the immortal symbols of the city that was the cradle of the Italian language, an elegant witness of the rich history that has characterized every its corner at the turn of centuries. It is one of the most famous and fascinating bridges in the world, built for the first time during the Roman period, but recovered and rebuilt several times after severe flooding. The Ponte Vecchio in Florence is the guardian of the Arno River and spans it at its narrowest point. During the XI century, the bridge was first built in wood and later reconstructed several times in stone, the last reconstruction in three passes dating back to 1345 after the birth of the “Lungarno” and was attributed to Taddeo Gaddi, or Neri di Fioravante. During the Middle Ages the bridge became the heart of the meat market, which was then moved just over the bridge to remove the bad smells of the slaughterhouse from the city.

Ponte Vecchio in Florence, a meeting between history and legend

The Ponte Vecchio in Florence has always been one of the most charming pieces of the great mosaic of the city, an evocative and magic place. It consists of three segmental arches and the presence of four towers, one for each corner. Today the only tower remained standing is that of the Manelli, while that of the Rossi-Cerchi was rebuilt after the bombings of the World War II. One of the main characteristics of Ponte Vecchio is the “Vasari Corridor”, built by Cosimo I to connect the Palazzo Vecchio, which was the political and administrative center of the city, with the Palazzo Pitti, the private residence of De’ Medici family. Another key feature is given by the two rows of shops that are along the building, among which the historic Florentine goldsmiths.

Ponte Vecchio in Florence, the place where you can breathe the scent of tradition

Ponte Vecchio in Florence represents a timeless embrace with the glorious past of one of the most important city in world history, a true journey into Italian culture and art, but also a particularly romantic place. In fact, there is a recent tradition for the Ponte Vecchio, a legend popularly connected to idea of love and lovers: by locking a padlock at any point of the bridge and throwing the key into the river, the lovers became eternally bonded. Stories, memories and feelings end up writing pages full of poetry and suggestion. The same that you can find at the Brunelleschi, the charming 4-star hotel built inside an ancient Byzantine tower located at the center of the city, just 600 meters from the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

Let be lulled by the emotions of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence

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