Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio comes to mind when you think about Florence. Due to the Tuscan-hued shuttered buildings that look out over the lake, this historic bridge over the River Arno is one of the city's enduring icons. The current stone bridge was built in 1345, though there has been a bridge here since Roman times.
The buildings on the bridge have historically been occupied by merchants, but in the 16th century, Florence's governing Medici family ordered that only gold and silver merchants should reside there. There are currently only jewelers there. The Vasari Corridor, which was built above the Ponte Vecchio, was possibly the Medici family's most significant contribution to the bridge.
This secret conduit connects the Pitti Palace on the other side of the Arno to the Uffizi Gallery and the old town. The corridor is now closed, although it is anticipated to reopen in 2021. One of the most attractive things to do in Florence is to wander along the cobbled Ponte Vecchio and look down the Arno through its segmental arches.
Location: Ponte Vecchio, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy
