What is Ponte Vecchio famous for?
Ponte Vecchio is an old-fashioned stone arch bridge that crosses over the Arno River in Florence, Italy. The bridge is a closed-spandrel segment with shops built along with it. These shops are occupied by jewellers, art dealers and souvenir sellers. Ponte Santa Trinita and the Ponte alle Grazie are two other bridges close to Ponte Vecchio.
What is the Ponte Vecchio made of?
The Ponte Vecchio is said to have existed since Roman times. The bridge was then only made of wood and after the flooding of the bridge in 1333, the Ponte Vecchio was rebuilt in stone in 1345. The bridge consists of three arches, of which the middle one is the largest at thirty meters in length.
What happened to the Ponte Vecchio bridge during WW2?
During World War II the Ponte Vecchio bridge over the Arno River was the only one spared from destruction by the retreating German army. Ponte Vecchio, Florence. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.
What kind of shops are in Ponte Vecchio?
Butchers initially occupied the shops; the present tenants are jewelers, art dealers and souvenir sellers. The Ponte Vecchio's two neighbouring bridges are the Ponte Santa Trinita and the Ponte alle Grazie .
What is unique about the Ponte Vecchio?
Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge in Florence that survived World War II. During the Nazi retreat in August 1944, all of the Florentine bridges were bombed and destroyed except one: luckily enough, Ponte Vecchio was spared!
Do people still live on the Ponte Vecchio?
The bridge connects the Centro Storico with the part of the city on the other side of the Arno River. This bridge is famous for been the only that still have people living in it.
What is the Ponte Vecchio made of?
Ponte Vecchio is closed-spandrel segmental arch bridge in Florence, Italy. It spans Arno River, it is made of stone and it is placed at the location where Romans built first bridge in Florence before 994 AD when it was mentioned for the first time.
What is the famous river in Florence?
Arno River"The Arno River, the largest and most famous river in central Italy, originated in the Apennines, which crosses famous Florence and Pisa.
How do you pronounce Ponte Vecchio in Italian?
0:160:47How to pronounce Ponte Vecchio? (CORRECTLY) Meaning ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSee you there to learn more.MoreSee you there to learn more.
What is the oldest bridge in Florence?
Ponte VecchioPonte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence, is one of the top attractions of the city.
What is the oldest bridge in the world?
Arkadiko BridgeArkadiko Bridge, the Peloponnese, Greece Made up of limestone boulders, stones and tiles, the bridge is thought to have been built to carry chariots. It's used by vehicles today, making it the oldest still-in-use bridge in the world.
What is the meaning of Vecchio?
the old or agedi vecchi plural masculine noun. the old or aged ⧫ old or elderly people ⧫ old folk.
What was originally sold on the Ponte Vecchio?
Though the bridge served as a defense mechanism, Ponte Vecchio was also designed to be a beautiful and honorable structure in the city. The local government began renting shop space on the bridge in the 13th century, the first of which primarily sold foodstuffs, such as meat and fish.
Is the Ponte Vecchio The oldest bridge in Florence?
The oldest bridge in Florence is the Ponte Vecchio, literally 'the old bridge' and contains a secret corridor between Palazzo Vecchio and Pitti in addition to numerous jewelers.
What river runs through Tuscany?
Arno RiverArno River, Italian Fiume Arno, Latin Arnus, principal stream of the Toscana (Tuscany) region, in central Italy. Rising on the slopes of Monte Falterona in the Tuscan Apennines, it flows for 150 mi (240 km) to the Ligurian Sea, receiving the Sieve, Pesa, Elsa, and Era rivers.
Can you walk across the Ponte Vecchio?
Once on the bridge, apart from some viewpoints out to the river you could just be walking down a street. Walking across Ponte Vecchio, two wide terraces open out on to an incredible view of Florence's river.
Can you walk across the Ponte Vecchio?
Once on the bridge, apart from some viewpoints out to the river you could just be walking down a street. Walking across Ponte Vecchio, two wide terraces open out on to an incredible view of Florence's river.
How old is the Ponte Vecchio in Florence?
677Ponte Vecchio / Age (c. 1345)
What is Arno river known for?
The Arno River divides Florence in two parts. Since ancient times it has been a key transit route between the sea and the Apennines and the source of wood needed for architectural works.
Is Ponte Vecchio open?
Timing- It is open every day, Monday-Sunday, from 10 AM to 7 PM.
What is the bridge over the Arno River?
During World War II the Ponte Vecchio bridge over the Arno River was the only one spared from destruction by the retreating German army. Florence: Ponte Vecchio.
What was the first segmental arch bridge built in the West?
By The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica View Edit History. Full Article. Ponte Vecchio, (Italian: “Old Bridge”) the first segmental arch bridge built in the West, which crosses over the Arno River at Florence and is an outstanding engineering achievement of Europe’s Middle Ages.
Who is the goldsmith who is honoured with a bust on the Ponte Vecchio bridge?
Benvenuto Cellini , a 16 th century goldsmith, is honoured with a bust on the bridge. By night, the wooden shutters of the shops create a look like suitcases and wooden chests, making it a very suggestive route to take for an evening passeggiata, or stroll. Ponte Vecchio is a very romantic spot in Florence, with its great views over the river and of the bridge itself.
What was the only bridge across the Arno in Florence?
Built very close to the Roman crossing, the Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, was the only bridge across the Arno in Florence until 1218. The current bridge was rebuilt after a flood in 1345. During World War II it was the only bridge across the Arno that the fleeing Germans did not destroy. Instead they blocked access by demolishing ...
Who Built the Bridge?
Even though Giorgio Vasari, an artist & chronalist from the 1500s, attributed the bridge to Taddeo Gaddi, the construction seems to point more towards the i nvolvement of the Dominican friars with their keen sense of proportion, harmony and use of numbers. We do know however that the bridge was built as a system of defense, and the windows and artistic elements that we can admire now were added after the shops were sold to the merchants.
When was the Corridoio Vasariano built?
The result was the Corridoio Vasariano, built in 1565 by Giorgio Vasari and which runs above the little goldsmiths' shops on the Ponte Vecchio. There have been shops on Ponte Vecchio since the 13th century. Initially, there were all types of shops, including butchers and fishmongers and, later, tanners, whose " industrial waste " caused ...
Is Ponte Vecchio romantic?
Ponte Vecchio is a very romantic spot in Florence, with its great views over the river and of the bridge itself. It is also possible to admire the bridge from underneath in theater presentations, the occasional concert and boat rides. After the disaster in 2016, there is talk of turning the work road constructed during the rebuilding ...
How long has Ponte Vecchio been around?
History of Ponte Vecchio. The Ponte Vecchio is said to have existed since Roman times. The bridge was then only made of wood and after the flooding of the bridge in 1333, the Ponte Vecchio was rebuilt in stone in 1345. The bridge consists of three arches, of which the middle one is the largest at thirty meters in length.
Why did the Ponte Vecchio leave Florence?
They used the Arno river in Florence as a landfill. However, Duke Fernandino made sure they left because they caused too much noise and stench.
What is the secret passage across Ponte Vecchio?
The secret passage across the Ponte Vecchio. People who have read Dan Brown's Inferno have heard of the Corridoio Vasariano, Vasari's secret corridor. This elevated corridor crosses the shops of the Ponte Vecchio and connects the Palazzo Vecchio with the Pitti Palace.
How many arches are there in the Ponte Vecchio bridge?
The bridge consists of three arches, of which the middle one is the largest at thirty meters in length. In the center of the bridge is a bust of Benvenuto Cellini, an Italian artist who started his career as a goldsmith on Ponte Vecchio.
What is the oldest bridge in Florence?
The most striking and oldest bridge in Florence still in existence is the Ponte Vecchio, literally: the old bridge. The Ponte Vecchio was designed by a student of Giotto, Taddeo Gaddi and was finished in 1345.
Why was Vasari's Corridoio Vasariano designed?
Vasari designed this secret corridor on behalf of Cosimo I so that he and his family could move between his two palaces without being seen by the people. The Corridoio Vasariano is almost a kilometer in distance. At first there were four towers on the Ponte Vecchio.
Why is Ponte Vecchio so famous?
As well as the bridge’s houses, the Ponte Vecchio became famous for its numerous padlocks that covered the sides of the bridge. Couples would buy a padlock, write their names on it and fasten it to railings, a symbol of eternal love.
What is the most famous landmark in Florence?
The Ponte Vecchio is Florence’s most legendary symbol, just like the Colosseum is the most famous landmark in Rome. It is also considered by many as the most romantic spot in Florence.
What is the oldest stone bridge in Europe?
with its hanging houses and shops, the Ponte Vecchio is one of the most famous bridges in the world, and what's more this "Old Bridge" is the oldest stone brige in Europe.
What is the old bridge?
The “Old Bridge” also houses the Vasari Corridor, a passageway that runs along the east side of the bridge and connects the Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti. This curious architectural design was commissioned by Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici. It is currently a museum, but closed to the general public.
Why were the shops on the Pitti overpass closed?
The houses built along the overpass were mainly butcher’s shops during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries but, when the court was moved to the Palazzo Pitti, Ferdinando I de’ Medici ordered the shops to be closed because of the bad odour. Since then, the shops have been owned by goldsmiths and jewellers.
Is Ponte Vecchio a good place to stop?
The Ponte Vecchio is a good place to stop and rest, if you don’t mind thousands of people walking past .
What was the purpose of Ponte Vecchio?
Its purpose was to connect Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti. At the end of World War II, While Germans retreated from North Africa through Italy, Ponte Vecchio was only bridge in Florence that Germans did not destroy (it is said that bridge was spared by personal order from Hitler).
Why is Ponte Vecchio called Ponte Vecchio?
Because of its age it is called Ponte Vecchio which means “Old Bridge”. One of its characteristics are shops that are placed on the both sides of the bridge in Medieval style. They are there since the beginning and were first populated with butcher shops and tanners but in 1593 duke Ferdinand I decided to allow only goldsmiths and jewelers to hold shops on Ponte Vecchio because former tenants produced too much garbage and foul smells. In 16th century Cosimo I de' Medici ordered that a corridor is built above Ponte Vecchio, so-called “Vasari Corridor” after a Giorgio Vasari who built it. Its purpose was to connect Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti. At the end of World War II, While Germans retreated from North Africa through Italy, Ponte Vecchio was only bridge in Florence that Germans did not destroy (it is said that bridge was spared by personal order from Hitler). They just closed it by destroying nearby buildings on both ends of the bridge, which were reconstructed at the end of the war. In 1966, another great flood threatened to destroy the bridge. It severely damaged it but Ponte Vecchio resisted and it is standing today and it is still beloved by the tourists.
When was the first bridge built in Florence?
It spans Arno River, it is made of stone and it is placed at the location where Romans built first bridge in Florence before 994 AD when it was mentioned for the first time. Flood destroyed the bridge for the first time in 1117 and after reconstruction again in 1333 only for it to be rebuilt in today’s shape in 1345.
Is Ponte Vecchio still standing?
It severely damaged it but Ponte Vecchio resisted and it is standing today and it is still beloved by the tourists. In recent history a tradition appeared that if lovers attach a padlock somewhere on the Ponte Vecchio and then throw away the key in water, their love will last forever.
What are some interesting facts about Ponte Vecchio?
The Ponte Vecchio or ‘Old Bridge’, that joins the centre of city with the district of Oltrarno on the south bank of the river Arno, is surely one of the great icons of Florence and one of the most famous bridges in the world. It crosses the river at its narrowest point within ...
Who built Ponte Vecchio?
1: Who built the Ponte Vecchio. In the 16th Century, the first art historian, Giorgio Vasari (responsible for the corridor above the bridge), credited the design of the bridge to the Florentine artist and architect Taddeo Gaddi, a student of Giotto. But there is no other evidence to corroborate this, and Vasari wasn’t always right.
Why did Mussolini have the Vasari Corridor?
It may be just as well he did, because when the retreating German forces blew up all the other bridges in 1944 to slow down the advancing Allies , they left the Ponte Vecchio intact, instead reducing the buildings at both ends of the bridge to rubble, in order to block the streets.
How did the Vasari bridge collapse?
It was repeatedly struck by large debris carried by the raging waters of the Arno and whole tree-trunks pierced right through the shops on the upstream side. The Vasari Corridor is also an art gallery, and a brave group of museum staff, given just a few minutes by the fire brigade, entered the section of corridor over the bridge to save the paintings hung there. They formed a human chain to get them to safety. Later, one of them recounted how the pressure of the water on the bridge set up vibrations that made the whole structure actually hum like a musical instrument. It must have been terrifying, but the paintings were saved, nobody was hurt, and in the end the bridge survived.
What is the name of the bridge that connects Verona to Ponte Vecchio?
The Castevecchio Bridge, Verona, mid-14th Century. This bridge gives a good impression of how the Ponte Vecchio and its predecessor were originally fortified. Photo: Starmaro/Shutterstock.com
What is the Vasari corridor?
The Vasari Corridor is also an art gallery, and a brave group of museum staff, given just a few minutes by the fire brigade, entered the section of corridor over the bridge to save the paintings hung there. They formed a human chain to get them to safety.
What is the name of the wooden props that extend out over the river?
Shops extended out over the river on wooden props called ‘sporti’. Photo: Flickr user Mathias Liebing
What is the Ponte Vecchio?
Top 10 Facts about the Ponte Vecchio in Florence. Ponte Vecchio is an old-fashioned stone arch bridge that crosses over the Arno River in Florence, Italy. The bridge is a closed-spandrel segment with shops built along with it. These shops are occupied by jewellers, art dealers and souvenir sellers. Ponte Santa Trinita and ...
What happened to Ponte Vecchio?
There have been a series of floods that damaged the bridge. Several renovations later, the old wooden bridge was replaced with this stone one that was spared during WWII. It is now a famous landmark in Florence. Here are some facts about Ponte Vecchio that you may not have known. 1.
Why did Hitler build a corridor on Ponte Vecchio?
Benito Mussolini built a corridor on the bridge to stay away from the stench that cane from the meat market.
Why did Medici ban butchers from the bridge?
To improve the status and clean up the bridge, Medici banned the butchers from operating on the bridge in 1593.
How many shops were built on Ponte Vecchio?
They, therefore, built shops on the bridge and rented them to the locals. There are 46 shops built out of stone, the previous shops were built of wood and caught fire quite often.
Why did Mussolini build a corridor on the bridge?
Benito Mussolini built a corridor on the bridge to stay away from the stench that cane from the meat market. He also wanted his guest, Adolf Hitler, to enjoy the view of Florence from the corridor. Mussolini ordered that three windows removed and, in their place, a large window was built.
What did butchers do before fancy chops?
Before the fancy chops came to be, butchers used to sell meat on the bridge. they would clean and prepare the meat while throwing the waste into the river.
What happened to Ponte Vecchio?
Ponte Vecchio’s history goes back to 996, appearing in a document. In 1117 the bridge was destroyed by a flood for the first time, but it was reconstructed in stone.
When was Ponte Vecchio built?
However, a flood in 1333 destroyed the bridge. It was then that the construction of the current building began and the bridge was constructed in 1345. Taddeo Gaddi is the man responsible for the current version of the bridge.
What is the name of the bridge in Florence?
With a name that means “Old Bridge”, Ponte Vecchio has sure managed to withstand the test of time. The current bridge in Florence was built in 1345, but there are documents that mention the bridge dating back to 996. What is specific about Ponte Vecchio is that the bridge is one of the few bridges in the world that still has shops on it. Ponte Vecchio is the first bridge built on the Arno River, and has been used for crossing the Arno river by tourists and citizens of Florence for years. Nowadays, it is tagged as one of the most famous places not just in Florence, but in Italy.
How many arches are there in Ponte Vecchio?
Ponte Vecchio consists of three segmental arches, one main and two side arches. The main arches has a span of 98 feet, while the side arches span 89 feet.
Which bridge survived the attacks?
During World War II, Hitler and his Nazi forces bombed every bridge in Florence and Italy. But one bridge in Florence survived the attacks, and that one is Ponte Vecchio. The only reason why the bridge withstand the attacks is the beautiful view from it.
What is the name of the bridge that wouldn't die?
- Aside from Hitler, Ponte Vecchio had its fair share of enemies and problems through the years. Its survival instinct has the bridge the name “The Bridge that Wouldn’t Die”. There have been many bridges built by the Romans in wood and stone over the Arno River, but Ponte Vecchio is the only one that withstand the powerful floods. The current version of Ponte Vecchio was designed in 1345 by Taddeo Gaddi, an architect and a painter. In a way to improve the survival of the bridge, Gaddi used lower and wider arches, which allowed the designer to install fewer pillars at the bridge. The result is evident, the water and debris can flow freely under the bridge.
