Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge over the Arno River, in Florence, Italy. Noted for still having shops built along it, as was once common, it is a significant symbol of the city.

History

The first mention of Ponte Vecchio dates back to 996. The bridge was destroyed by a flood in 1117 and reconstructed in stone but was swept away again in 1333 save two of its central piers. It was rebuilt in 1345, and this time it was designed to withstand floods.

Design

The design of the Ponte Vecchio is attributed to the Italian architect and painter Taddeo Gaddi. The bridge consists of three segmental arches: the main arch has a span of 30 meters (98 feet) and the two side arches each span 27 meters (89 feet). The rise of the arches is between 3.5 and 4.4 meters (11.5 to 14.5 feet), and the span-to-rise ratio 5:1.

Shops on the Bridge

The bridge has always hosted shops and merchants, which is reflected in the etymology of its name (Old Bridge). Initially, there were all types of shops, including butchers and fishmongers. However, in 1593, Ferdinando I decreed that only goldsmiths and jewellers be allowed to have their shops on the bridge to improve the wellbeing of all who walked over the bridge.

Vasari Corridor

In 1565, the Vasari Corridor was built on top of the shops on the bridge. This corridor was designed by Giorgio Vasari and commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici to connect the Palazzo Vecchio with the Palazzo Pitti, allowing the family to move freely between their residences.

Modern Day

Today, the Ponte Vecchio is a tourist attraction and still hosts numerous jewellery shops. It is an iconic symbol of the city of Florence and is often considered one of the most romantic places in the city.

See Also

• List of bridges in Italy
• Architecture of Italy
• History of Florence

This Italian bridge or bridge structure related article is a stub.