PONTE VECCHIO
Originally built out of wood in 972 by the Etruscans this world famous bridge was initially built to allow access over the widest part of the Arno. It was destroyed in 1117 by a flood and later the bridge was rebuilt in stone only to be devastated again in 1332 by a fire. Throughout history the bridge has been rebuilt and restored many times.
Due to the enormous amount of traffic crossing over the bridge, the more enterprising decided to set up shops on the bridge itself. The first merchants consisted primarily of blacksmiths, butchers.
When half of the population perished with the Black Plague in 1348 those who survived began to question their old ways of living. Shortly after this period the Medici family moved into Florence bringing with them vast wealth as appreciation for the finer things in life. The family began to acknowledge that the use of the Arno by the merchants led to a grave degree of pollution of its waters and was then that they decided to take action by replacing them with goldsmiths and artists and soon the number of shops greatly increased. Between the years of 1565 and 1800 an upper level, as well as a back row of shops, was eventually added which crosses the bridge and connects Uffizi Gallery with Palazzo Pitti.
With the structure and strength given to the bridge combined with the increase in trade, Florence grew rapidly. Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge which survived the perils of WWII and the massive flood of 1966 which wiped out the shops on the bridge but whose roaring waters were not enough to crumble the strength of the bridge itself. A precious piece of architecture as well as history making Ponte Vecchio an enchanting site for all those who visit it.
Florence Hotel De La Pace · Monuments
