The Ponte Vecchio of Florence

Another visual landmark for the Capo Luogo, Firenze, is the Ponte Vecchio bridge (literally translated as the 'old bridge').

The earliest documentary evidence of its existence comes from 996AD, when in Roman times, the Via Cassia is registered to have crossed the river Arno at this point. In 1117 a flood came to Florence which swept the bridge away, the same fate to follow once reconstructed in 1333, save for the two central piers which did not perish. Neri di Fioravanti is cited by modern historians as the probable designer of the Ponte Vecchio as it stands today. The bridge is exemplified by its three main arches.

Visitors may not be aware that running along the top of the Ponte Vecchio is an elevated, enclosed passageway. 'Vassari's Corridor' was constructed by order of Cosimo de Medici to allow him to pass from Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti without having to step foot in public. The Vassari corridor is open for very limited periods of the year.