One of Florence’s most iconic landmarks, the Ponte Vecchio, which literally translates to the Old Bridge, crosses the prominent Arno River that runs through the city. It is one of many bridges that connect the city center with the Oltrarno district. The Ponte Vecchio is flanked by Ponte Santa Trinita and Ponte alle Grazie. However, it is the only bridge in Florence to still have shops along it. The shops were once occupied by butchers, but are currently occupied by jewelers, art dealers, and souvenir shops. It is known as the place in Florence to buy gold, silver, and other luxury goods.
The bridge spans the Arno at its narrowest point, and it is believed that the bridge was first built during Roman times. After being destroyed by a flood in 1117, it was reconstructed in stone, and swept away again by another flood in 1333. The bridge was again rebuilt in 1345. At the end of the sixteenth century, Grand Duke Ferdinand I replaced the butchers’ shops with gold and silversmiths, still seen today. Additional shops were added in the seventeenth century.
During World War II, Florence was overtaken by retreating German armies in August of 1944. During this time, all other bridges across the Arno river were destroyed as a way to stall the advancing British armies. However, the Ponte Vecchio was not destroyed by Germans. Current rumours passed along by tour guides and Florentines alike is that this was because of an order by Hitler, who is thought to have liked the bridge enough to save it. The bridge was also severely damaged by the 1966 flood of the Arno River. During that flood, the waters rose high enough that much of the precious metal in the shops on the bridge was lost.
Along the Ponte Vecchio, there were many padlocks locked to various places, especially to the railing around the statue of Benvenuto Cellini. Benvenuto Cellini was an Italian goldsmith, sculptor, painter, soldier, and musician. The padlock tradition was perhaps introduced by the padlock shop owner at the end of the bridge. It is popularly connected to the idea of love and lovers: by locking the padlock and throwing the key into the river, the lovers became eternally bonded.
A final interesting and notable feature of the bridge is the Vasari Corridor. This corridor connects Palazzo Vecchio in Piazza della Signoria with the Pitti Palace on the other side of the river, Commissioned by Cosimo de Medici, the corridor runs across the top of the British and was used so that important members of the community could pass quickly, quietly, and safely between the two locations. Today, the corridor is open occasionally, but only to a set number of visitors.
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