Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), Florence (must see)
Ponte Vecchio, or The Old Bridge, first appeared in written records all the way back in 996. Of the six bridges that span the Arno River in Florence, it鈥檚 the only one that survived World War II intact鈥攕pared by retreating German forces. Today, this medieval stone arch structure stands as a powerful reminder of how a ruler鈥檚 vision can shape a city鈥檚 legacy.
As in the Middle Ages, the bridge is still lined with shops鈥攂ut what鈥檚 sold here has changed quite a bit over time. Originally, it was occupied by butchers, who were know for tossing animal waste directly into the river鈥攈ardly ideal for anyone strolling by. That all changed in the 16th century, when Grand Duke Ferdinando de鈥� Medici had the meat merchants removed and replaced with goldsmiths. Not only did this improve the smell, but it also turned the bridge into one of the most glittering, upscale corners of Florence.
Take a look from a distance, and you might spot something unusual鈥攁 raised corridor running above the shops. This hidden passage is part of the Vasari Corridor, a nearly kilometer-long tunnel that connects the Pitti Palace with the Old Palace. It was built so that the Grand Duke could move between his residence and government offices without mingling with the crowds. Although closed since 2016 for safety reasons, there are plans to reopen it for visitors.
There鈥檚 even a bit of financial folklore tied to this spot, which is said to be the birthplace of the term 鈥渂ankruptcy.鈥� When a moneylender couldn鈥檛 pay his debts, soldiers smashed his trading bench鈥攃alled a banco鈥攖o pieces, a symbolic act that left him unable to operate. Hence the term 鈥渂ancorotto鈥�, or 鈥渂roken bench鈥�, was born.
These days, the Old Bridge is a lovely place for a walk鈥攅specially at sunset, when the light casts a golden glow over the Arno. Early mornings are just as magical, with soft reflections on the water and, if you鈥檙e lucky, the bridge nearly all to yourself.
As in the Middle Ages, the bridge is still lined with shops鈥攂ut what鈥檚 sold here has changed quite a bit over time. Originally, it was occupied by butchers, who were know for tossing animal waste directly into the river鈥攈ardly ideal for anyone strolling by. That all changed in the 16th century, when Grand Duke Ferdinando de鈥� Medici had the meat merchants removed and replaced with goldsmiths. Not only did this improve the smell, but it also turned the bridge into one of the most glittering, upscale corners of Florence.
Take a look from a distance, and you might spot something unusual鈥攁 raised corridor running above the shops. This hidden passage is part of the Vasari Corridor, a nearly kilometer-long tunnel that connects the Pitti Palace with the Old Palace. It was built so that the Grand Duke could move between his residence and government offices without mingling with the crowds. Although closed since 2016 for safety reasons, there are plans to reopen it for visitors.
There鈥檚 even a bit of financial folklore tied to this spot, which is said to be the birthplace of the term 鈥渂ankruptcy.鈥� When a moneylender couldn鈥檛 pay his debts, soldiers smashed his trading bench鈥攃alled a banco鈥攖o pieces, a symbolic act that left him unable to operate. Hence the term 鈥渂ancorotto鈥�, or 鈥渂roken bench鈥�, was born.
These days, the Old Bridge is a lovely place for a walk鈥攅specially at sunset, when the light casts a golden glow over the Arno. Early mornings are just as magical, with soft reflections on the water and, if you鈥檙e lucky, the bridge nearly all to yourself.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Florence. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) on Map
Sight Name: Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge)
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Florence, Italy (See walking tours in Florence)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Florence, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Florence
Creating your own self-guided walk in Florence is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Designed by... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Duomo Walking Tour
Right in the heart of historic Florence lies the Duomo district鈥攖he city's religious and civic core, and one of the most remarkable places in all of Italy. Between the Duomo and Signoria squares, Florence unfolds in layers of art, history, and architectural brilliance, offering a never-ending stream of things to see, do, and admire.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
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And flourish it did. During the Middle Ages and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Arno South Bank Walking Tour
The area south of the Arno River鈥攌nown as Oltrarno, or 鈥淏eyond the Arno鈥濃�攐ffers a quieter, more intimate side of Florence, but one that鈥檚 no less captivating. It鈥檚 here that you鈥檒l find the grand Pitti Palace, home to a painting collection rivaled only by the Uffizi Gallery, and the expansive Boboli Gardens, once the private domain of the Medici and later, the royal family. As one of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Michelangelo's Masterpieces Walking Tour
Though born in the small Tuscan town of Caprese, Michelangelo spent over two decades of his life in Florence鈥攖he heart of the Renaissance. It was here that he grew up, was educated, and began shaping his artistic voice, eventually creating some of the most iconic masterpieces the city has ever known.
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
His larger-than-life work鈥斺�淒avid鈥濃�攄idn鈥檛 just reshape the image of biblical... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
In Galileo's Footsteps
Galileo Galilei鈥攂orn in Pisa in 1564鈥攕pent much of his life in and around Florence, where some of the most defining moments of his revolutionary career unfolded. A genius of many talents鈥攑hysicist, mathematician, astronomer, inventor鈥攈e helped usher in the scientific revolution and reshape humanity鈥檚 understanding of the universe. Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, became a... view more
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 8.0 Km or 5 Miles
Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 8.0 Km or 5 Miles
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