Think of Florence, Italy and you probably
picture the iconic image of the Ponte Vecchio as well. This bridge is the
oldest of six in Florence and one of only four in the world lined with shops.
It’s believed a bridge has spanned this section of the Arno River since Roman
times and the current structure was built in 1345. The Ponte Vecchio survived the destruction of World War II, the
great flood of 1966 and was recently featured in a novel by Dan Brown.
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Ponte Vecchio, Florence |
In 1944, Nazi troops retreating from
Florence were ordered to destroy the city’s bridges. German diplomat Gerhard
Wolf fought to save the Ponte Vecchio and the crossing was instead made
impassable by demolishing the buildings at each end. A plaque on the bridge
recognizes Wolf for his efforts.
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Shops on the Ponte Vecchio |
In November 1966 the Arno River overflowed
its banks, leaving much of Florence under water. Thirty people died in the
flood and countless books, manuscripts and works of art were damaged or destroyed.
But the bridge remained standing and an international rescue effort was
launched to restore the city’s cultural treasures. (You can see photos and
video on the Florence Flood website.)
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West Side of the Ponte Vecchio |
More recently, author Dan Brown set scenes from his 2013 bestseller Inferno in Florence and makes use of a
private passageway, the Vasari Corridor, which runs along the top of the bridge.
It was built in 1565 by the ruling Medici family as a secure route between
their offices in the Palazzo Vecchio and the Pitti Palace across the river. The
butchers and tanners on the bridge were replaced by more aesthetically pleasing
gold and silver shops which line the Ponte Vecchio to this day. The Vasari Corridor,
which also passes through the renowned Uffizi Gallery, now houses artist self-portraits
from the museum’s collection.
When you’ve finished shopping for gold or admiring
the Arno River from the bridge you may wish to stop by the nearby Mercato
Nuovo, also known as the Straw Market. The loggia dates from the Renaissance
period and the open air stalls are filled with colourful leather goods, scarves
and souvenirs.
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Mercato Nuovo, or Straw Market |
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Straw Market Leather Goods |
Look for the Florentine equivalent to Rome’s Trevi Fountain, the
bronze statue of a wild boar, on the east side of the loggia. Rub the well-worn
snout of Il Porcellino and he’ll ensure your return one day to the historic city
of Florence and the Ponte Vecchio.
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Make a Wish with Il Porcellino |
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