Every traveler feels a touch of romance, nostalgia and an inexplicable longing as soon as they set foot on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. Who has crossed this bridge in the last few centuries? you involuntarily ask yourself. The bridge, steeped in history, would have many stories to tell if it could.
She witnessed how Florence, after Roman rule ended with Julius Caesar, rose to become a trading power, how the Medici took control of the city and how the painters and architects shaped the Renaissance era.
But she could also tell of painful times, of plague, war and civil unrest. Especially in the 14th century, the people of Florence suffered numerous famines and diseases. She is also familiar with cruel dukes and armed uprisings.
The story of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence
Translated, Ponte Vecchio means the old bridge. In fact, it is the first surviving bridge that spanned the Arno. The bridges from Etruscan times have unfortunately been destroyed over the centuries. A wooden bridge, which had stood at roughly the same point, fell victim to a violent flood in 1333, which flooded large parts of the city.
In order to be better protected against future environmental disasters, the rulers decided to secure the Arno with high stone walls and then built the Ponte Vecchio almost at the same time.
From the point of view of that time, the bridge was a true masterpiece of architecture and the fact that it is still standing today underscores this in an impressive way. Unfortunately, the architect who designed this work of art is unknown, but his idea of choosing a segmented arch bridge was brilliant. Some sources suggest that Taddeo Gaddi was involved in the design.
Segment arch bridges were only recently built. Its structure is reminiscent of the Roman aqueducts, the round arch shape catches the eye. The Romans had this type of construction from an Assyrian king, King Sennacherib, who lived in 691 BC. Lived, taken over, who had a huge waterway built with bridges.
A souvenir from the Ponte Veccio is a great reminder of a highlight of any trip to Italy. Despite the hustle and bustle, every passer-by should take enough time to enjoy the view from the bridge. The atmosphere on the bridge is magical, especially at sunset.
Another superstructure was added in 1565. Cosimos I de Medici commissioned the construction of a walkway across the entire row of shops. The Vasari Corridor is a real luxury building and connects the Palazzo Vecchio with the Palazzo Pitti.
Since he was bothered by the foul smells of the butchers and tanners, he banned them from the bridge by decree and instead invited goldsmiths and jewelry makers who did not throw any stinking rubbish into the Arno. A perfectly understandable measure, especially in times when this waste caused numerous diseases.
Today there are still many long-established jewelers in the bridge shops.
Unimpressed, the bridge survived all the negative influences of time. Even the Nazis under Hitler did not destroy this bridge. It was the only bridge spared.
In 1966 a heavy flood hit the row of shops, but this time too the Ponte Vecchio defied the masses of water. It is to be hoped that the bridge will be able to withstand all future problems as stubbornly as the countless disasters of the past centuries.
Our editorial tip:
In 2018, the secret passage over the bridge, which the Medicis had commissioned, was opened to the public for the first time. This secret passage leads right through many buildings in the area. This fun is not for claustrophobic people, as the aisle is only 1 m wide. The tour takes half an hour in total. Since the corridor has been extensively restored, it is absolutely harmless. It is particularly worth seeing for art lovers, 800 paintings adorn the aisle.
The Pont Vecchio in painting
The artists also noticed the indescribable charm of the bridge. Over time, countless painters captured the bridge in their pictures.
The created a very well-known and valued representation Artist Canaletto in 1742. The painting is called "Arno River and the Ponte Vecchio in Florence". This picture shows how little the cityscape has changed.
The picture "The Ponte Vecchio" offers a different perspective Bernard Bellotto painted around the same time. A contemporary and playful version of the bridge comes from the artist Amaranta De Francisci. There are also a variety of very nice photographs of the bridge.
Ponte Vecchio famous bridge in Florence
Conclusion
The Ponte Vecchio in Florence is a real highlight of any trip to Florence that no one should miss. It is the oldest and most beautiful bridge in the whole city. A shopping trip through the row of shops in the evening light is an unforgettable experience.
Last updated: 06.02.2024
