Inside on the Ponte Vecchio bridge. Ponte Vecchio: the “golden” bridge of Florence. From the history of the Vecchio Bridge

What is famous about the Vecchio Bridge in Florence: a little history and modernity. How Ponte Vecchio managed to survive devastating floods and why from afar it resembles. Where is the old bridge of Florence, how to get to it yourself from the city center and what to see.

Ponte Vecchio is the oldest and most recognizable bridge in Florence. Not a single tourist bypasses it. During its existence, it was rebuilt several times due to constant floods. Translated from Italian its name Ponte Vecchio means "Old Bridge". Today, guests of the city can see it in its original appearance, since practically nothing has changed here over many centuries.

Excursions in Florence and surrounding areas

The most interesting excursions in the capital of Tuscany - these are routes from local residents. We recommend starting with sightseeing tour(Ponte Vecchio in the program). And then choose a program with a twist - at least gastronomic tour, even an exit route, even medieval Florence.

From the history of the Vecchio Bridge

The decision to build Ponte Vecchio bridge at this point on the Arno River was no coincidence. Once upon a time there stood a bridge with wooden superstructures in its place from the ancient Roman era. However, as a result of a flood, it was destroyed and then rebuilt from stone. But this did not help cope with the flow of water. The structure was again demolished by a natural disaster in 1333. According to historians, the work of restoring it was entrusted to Neri di Fioravanti. Construction was completed in 1345. After this, the bridge remained for many centuries a place where lively trade was carried out.

Interestingly, Ponte Vecchio was not destroyed during World War II. The rest of the historical buildings in the city were much less fortunate, many of them were severely damaged.

From the mid-15th century, butchers' shops from all over Florence were moved here. Their number turned out to be much greater than expected, then it was decided to make several additional extensions.

Over time, the straight line of buildings on both sides of the bridge has changed greatly due to various transformations. In 1556, by order of Duke Cosimo I de' Medici, the so-called Vasari Corridor, passing over the Ponte Vecchio itself. This corridor was named in honor of the architect who worked on its creation. Along it, the Duke could easily move from the Vecchio Palace to the residence on the other side of the Arno - the Pitti Palace.

Despite the fact that the bridge was rebuilt several times, it failed to survive another flood in 1966. A natural disaster struck the city, resulting in many buildings being damaged. Of course, everything has been restored and restored for decades, but the city authorities had to bear enormous costs.

Sights of Ponte Vecchio

In the western part of the building there is a bust of the Italian jeweler and artist - Benvenuto Cellini. It was created by a sculpture named Raffaello Romanelli, born in Florence. A popular tradition among city residents and tourists is to hang so-called “love locks” on the fences around the statue.

* This “cute” habit is practiced by uncontrollable lovers all over the world - in particular, forged grilles suffer from it, the fences of the lovers' bridge in Paris recently collapsed, and local residents often oppose marginalized “tradition.”

Entrance to the Vecchio Bridge from the embankment

Jewelry shop on the bridge (Florence, Italy)

Jewelry as a souvenir (Vecchio Bridge, Florence)

On the Ponte Vecchio itself there are still shops, shops and workshops. You can mainly buy gold items, jewelry and themed souvenirs from Florence (postcards, magnets, ceramic plates, key rings, guidebooks).

Unfortunately, it is currently not possible to get to the part of the Codidor Vasari, which is located directly above the bridge, since it is closed to outsiders. The main reason is the unsatisfactory condition of the structure, which, although not on the verge of destruction, is still not adapted to the tourist load. Perhaps the authorities will take care of this problem and solve the problem with access, because the multi-story superstructure over the Ponte Vecchio invariably raises questions and stirs the hearts of travelers. Everyone dreams of walking the “dear Medici” from the Vecchio Palace to the Pitti!

Where is it and how to get there

The old bridge of Florence is located between Via Calimala on one side of the river and Via d'Guicciardini- to the other. Closest to the Vecchio Bridge bus stop that’s what it’s called “Ponte Vecchio”. To get there you need to take route C3 or D.

But the easiest way is to walk, Ponte Vecchio is just a few steps away Piazzale degli Uffizi, i.e. from the central one, which rarely gets overlooked in Florence.

Ponte Vecchio on the map of Florence

The Vecchio Bridge (Florence) is located at: Ponte Vecchio, 50125 Firenze FI

History of the Ponte Vecchio

The first bridge at the narrowest point of the Arno River, in the area of ​​the ford, was built under the Romans, approximately in the 1st century BC. e. Work on the river bed shortly after World War II revealed a concrete foundation laid at an angle to the banks so that the bridge could withstand frequent destructive floods. Until 123, the width of the bridge increased to 3 m, because the Cassian road was built through it, intended for communication between Rome and the northern provinces. Imperfect Roman architectural tricks did not save the bridge: in the VI-VII centuries. it was destroyed by the combined efforts of the elements and crowds of barbarians who swept across Italy. In the Middle Ages, the restored bridge was swept away by floods at least twice. The penultimate version was built in 1177 on oak beams left over from its predecessor. The flood of 1333, the most violent in the history of the Arno, destroyed it too.

In 1345, the city authorities got tired of paying for regular reconstructions, and they ordered the architect to design a stone bridge. Giorgio Vasari, artist and art historian, claims that this master was Taddeo Gaddi, modern researchers doubt this and attribute the authorship to Neri di Fioravanti. New anyway stone bridge, after some time receiving the name Vecchio, that is, “old,” quickly became a lively trading place. For sanitary reasons beyond our understanding, butchers' shops were moved here so that they would not leave waste on the street near the palaces of the nobility, but would throw it into the river. Soon the merchants found that there were not enough portable tables, and the sides of the bridge were overgrown with buildings mounted above the water on brackets. This did not add to his beauty, but there was no end to visitors.

The Ponte Vecchio Bridge is a stone crossing over the Arno that is completely different from an ordinary bridge. The structure is so old that it even remembers ancient Roman times. Then, of course, it was a wooden crossing, which did not prevent it from remaining the most important element of the social life of Florence.
The history of Ponte Vecchio is long and turbulent. The bridge was repeatedly washed away by floods that often occurred in the city, was rebuilt, and was destroyed again and again. In the 15th century, this area became the most fragrant in Florence, because it was here that numerous butcher shops were moved away from noble mansions. In those years, trading veal and chicken brains was allowed only on the Old Bridge. All waste from the meat business was thrown into the river, which carried it far beyond the city limits.
There were many butchers in the city, the bridge was not very long, so its growth began to spread. The merchants built their shops in such a way that they protruded above the bridge, hanging almost above the water. This is how we see the Ponte Vecchio today. But the shops here now sell expensive and very expensive jewelry. Even the simplest ring here costs at least 200 euros.
The Ponte Vecchio bridge was built at the narrowest point of the Arno River. Almost opposite it are the Uffizi Galleries. This is one of the oldest bridges in the Tuscan capital, the only one that was able to preserve almost its original appearance. In its place, however, there were other structures: a bridge from the ancient Roman era that collapsed in 1117, as well as a bridge destroyed by a flood in 1333.
The modern structure first appeared in 1345. Then it was built by the architect Neri di Fioravanti. The design was durable, but at the same time very elegant. At that time the bridge consisted of three arches. A distinctive feature of Ponte Vecchio is the houses that are crowded on both sides. Over time, the straight line of the 14th century buildings was disrupted by various transformations. In the center of the bridge span, a row of buildings is interrupted, turning into an open area, which offers views of the river and other bridges in the city.
Above the buildings is the Vasari Corridor. The architect created it so that Cosimo I could pass from Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti without feeling the strong stench from the butchers' shops. Along the corridor there are small round windows in a row, from which the ruler eavesdropped on what was being said. ordinary people On Bridge. This is what the legend says. Jewelry shops and workshops appeared on the site of the shops in the 16th century. Since then, the Ponte Vecchio has also been called the “Golden Bridge”. There is also a bust of Benvenuto Cellini. “Love locks” are chained to him.

The Ponte Vecchio bridge is one of the oldest bridges, which is known far beyond Italy. Its name is translated from Italian language like "old bridge". Along with the Cathedral and the Uffizi Gallery, it is the hallmark of Florence. On numerous postcards and souvenirs it is easy to recognize the unusual appearance of the bridge in the rays of bright sun or night illumination. It spans the Arno River and connects the two parts of the busy city at its narrowest point. Thousands of tourists go to the bridge every day to capture it in photos and feel the spirit of antiquity.

Ponte Vecchio in history

The Ponte Vecchio bridge acquired its current appearance in 1345. The construction of such a reliable and beautiful bridge was supervised by the architect Neri Fiorovanti. Before this, the structure was destroyed and rebuilt several times.

The first crossing was built during the Roman Empire, when veterans of a large army settled in the city. The bridge was supported by wooden piles, but they were not strong enough to withstand the powerful current. The collapse occurred in 1117. Instead of a wooden one, a stone bridge was quickly built. It served for several centuries, but by 1333 the city was overtaken by a severe flood. The bridge's fortifications weakened and most of its sections collapsed. Only a few central crossbars remain.

After the final reconstruction, the Ponte Vecchio bridge acquired graceful contours with arched vaults. This helped give the structure maximum stability. The entire length of the bridge is divided into three arches. The length of the central one is 30 m, and the side ones reach only 27 m.

A century after its construction, in the 15th century, the first trading shops appeared on the bridge. Meat sellers who were expelled from the streets of Florence settled here. Due to the unpleasant smell, many townspeople were unhappy with the proximity to butchers. There were more such sellers than expected. All of them did not fit on the bridge, so extensions of several floors or houses hanging over the water began to appear.

By the beginning of the 17th century. butchers were replaced by jewelry dealers. Since then, the bridge has been given a second name – Golden Bridge. During the same period, a spacious terrace was installed in the central part so that those who wish could admire the views of the river and the surrounding area.

The bridge has always been a place of busy trade and crowds, which was not always convenient. For example, the Duke of Florence could not freely travel from his residence in the Pitti Palace to the place of reception of his subjects in the Palazzo Vecchio. To solve this problem, the architect Giorgio Vasari was commissioned to design a road in the form of a corridor over all the bridge extensions. The total length of the corridor was more than a kilometer. It was a covered corridor with small dormer windows to control the situation outside.

Recent history

A year before the outbreak of World War II, a tour of the Ponte Vecchio was given to Adolf Hitler himself. Numerous arches, shops and a picturesque panorama made an indelible impression on him. When the German offensive began in Italy, all bridges except the Ponte Vecchio were destroyed. There is an opinion that it was Hitler who ordered the preservation of the design that had previously captivated him.

Although the crossing lasted much longer than all its predecessors, a severe flood in 1966 caused great damage to it. Due to heavy rainfall, the water level in the river rose to the very base of the bridge. The waves broke glass and destroyed the interior of the shops. Most of the retail locations were completely destroyed, but the functional parts of the structure remained undamaged.

Architectural features

The western edge of the bridge is decorated with a bust of Benvenuto Cellini (a famous jeweler); it appeared here at the very beginning of the 20th century. Later, a forged fence appeared around, on which lovers often attach decorative locks. Even in European countries This tradition is quite young, but very popular. In just a few months, locks of various shapes and sizes appear in unimaginable quantities. City authorities regularly remove them. To reduce the number of precedents, a fine was introduced. For each lock you will have to pay 50 euros.

Today, like several centuries ago, the most expensive jewelry stores are located on Ponte Vecchio, which delight you with a very large assortment. Many tourists visit shops to admire unusual products, but only a few decide to buy jewelry at inflated prices.

Unfortunately, travelers will not be able to visit the Vasari Corridor. Its doors are closed to visitors. They say that it contains many self-portraits of a certain R. Zanieri.

At night, the bridge is illuminated brightly, so tourists should take a walk around the area in the evening or at night.

How to get there

Florence – large city, in which several railway stations. This allows you to compose convenient route from any corner of the planet. Nearest international airports located in Milan and Rome. They also arrive here tourist buses from neighboring cities. At train stations and tourist centers You can buy a city map to quickly navigate and find all the attractions of interest.

Address: Italy, Florence
Start of construction: 1345
Completion of construction: 1345
Width: 32 m
Coordinates: 43°46"05.2"N 11°15"11.7"E

Brief description

Almost every city on our planet has its own “calling card” (an ancient landmark, an ultra-modern building, a monument of history, architecture, etc.), which is first shown to all guests.

Bird's eye view of the Ponte Vecchio bridge

In Florence such " business cards“There are quite a lot and choosing the main one is extremely difficult. However, many guidebooks to the “flourishing city” say that the Uffizi Gallery will be of greatest interest to all tourists without exception. Cathedral and the Ponte Vecchio bridge. They are depicted on souvenirs, their photos have appeared more than once in the most authoritative and popular travel magazines. To be extremely precise, the story is about the most interesting places Romantic Florence must begin with a description and history of these three attractions. In this material we will talk about amazing bridge Ponte Vecchio, built in the luxurious Renaissance style and included in the list of the most beautiful bridges in the world.

The Ponte Vecchio bridge connects two parts of the city, located on opposite sides of the Arno River. It is located very close to the legendary Uffizi Gallery: from its windows, professional photographers take stunning photographs of the ancient bridge. Despite its “considerable age”, Ponte Vecchio is not a “dead landmark”, but is still functioning. Moreover, from sunrise until late at night it is crowded with tourists, merchants and police officers keeping order in one of the main “calling cards” of Florence.

View of the bridge from the façade of the Uffizi Gallery

Ponte Vecchio: construction of the bridge and its history

The Florence Bridge (there are currently 10 of them in the flourishing city!) in the form in which numerous guests of the “second city after Rome” can now see it, was built back in 1345! The name of the architect, thanks to whom the Ponte Vecchio appeared in Florence, has even survived to this day. The ingenious plan for a beautiful bridge with three massive stone arches, distinguished by its reliability and durability, was developed by Neri di Fiorovanti.

Speaking about the place where the Ponte Vecchio still flaunts, we cannot fail to mention the fact that long before its appearance, at different periods of time, there were three more bridges here! The first bridge, according to historians and archaeologists, was built back in the days when the population of Florence consisted mainly of Roman veterans. Much more is known about the second and third bridges: ancient chronicles say that the second crossing of the Arno River for unknown reasons collapsed in 1117, and the third did not survive the flood that occurred in Florence in 1333 .

View of the bridge from the Arno River embankment

The new bridge was vital for the Florentines, so 12 years later the Ponte Vecchio was built, which has remained unchanged to this day. This durability of the structure is explained by the competent calculations of the architect and the strong building materials that were used in its construction. During World War II, almost all of Florence's bridges were blown up by the fascists retreating in panic. Almost everything... Only the famous Ponte Vecchio survived. Moreover, the magnificent bridge over the Arno owes its preservation to... Adolf Hitler. Even the most terrible tyrant in the entire history of mankind could not destroy the creation of Neri di Fiorovanti, and personally gave the order not to blow up the Ponte Vecchio.

If you look at the bridge from the Uffizi Gallery, from the embankment or from another bridge, you will notice one of its most interesting features: directly above the bridge there is a covered corridor. It was built much later than the appearance of Ponte Vecchio. The plan for this amazing corridor was designed by the architect Vasari. By the way, this passage is called the Vasari Corridor. Its construction began in 1565 by order of the strict and, at the same time, unusually loving Duke Cosimo I, who was part of the legendary Medici dynasty. As is known from ancient documents, Cosimo I had enormous power; it is not surprising that the Vasari corridor, along which he could move from the Vecchio Palace to the Pitti residence, was completed by the builders in just five months.

Why did the strict ruler need a separate corridor? Couldn't he have crossed the Arno on the bridge, accompanied by guards? These questions can be asked by a tourist who does not know the history of Florence and its oldest and most beautiful bridge very well. The thing is that immediately after the completion of the construction of Ponte Vecchio, butchers set up their shops on it. Best place You just can’t imagine it for brisk trading. Nobody thought about hygiene in the Middle Ages: the stench from rotten meat and waste did not allow the city dweller on the bridge to take a deep breath of air. Cosimo I, forced to move from one palace to another quite often, did not want to breathe in the stench and ordered the construction of a corridor directly above the Ponte Vecchio. Crowds of people always gathered where meat was sold, so the Duke of Tuscany could also quietly eavesdrop on the speeches of ordinary townspeople. There is even a legend that many people who had the imprudence to give an unflattering assessment of the reign of Cosimo I on the Florentine bridge were subjected to torture and torture the very next day. By the way, meat was sold on Ponte Vecchio only until the 16th century. In a short period of time, butcher shops were converted... into jewelry stores. It was from this period of time that the Florence Bridge also received a second name - golden.

It will be interesting to know that it was on the Florence bridge that such a definition as bankruptcy appeared. Some butchers who offered poor products quickly went out of business and were unable to pay the authorities. rent. Almost the next day after the delay, a small detachment of soldiers came to the unfortunate entrepreneur and smashed his trading place with sticks. The word “bancorotto”, which translated into Russian means “broken table”, according to linguists, appeared precisely in Florence, and precisely on a bridge built in 1345.

Ponte Vecchio: one of the most interesting sights of modern Florence

There is only a grain of truth in the fact that the Ponte Vecchio bridge has survived to this day in its original form. More precisely, the bridge did not undergo any changes in design, unlike the Vasari Corridor. By order of Mussolini, even before the start of World War II, especially for the arrival of his friend Adolf Hitler, in the Vasari corridor for a record short terms a special observation deck with huge rectangular windows. From there, the author of fascist ideology showed Hitler Florence and the picturesque Arno River. After the liberation of the city, it was decided to leave this site: in our time, all travelers will be able to personally see the place from which the enthusiastic tyrants looked at the flourishing city.

For security reasons, the Florentine authorities prohibited entry into the Vasari Corridor. True, a walk across the bridge leaves behind a lot of unforgettable impressions. Jewelry is still sold on Ponte Vecchio. Now these are not unusual merchant shops, but ultra-modern boutiques, the goods in which only very rich people can afford. In Florence, every native resident knows that not only the bridge, but also the area of ​​the river near it can be called golden. In 1966, a devastating flood occurred in Florence. Not only the bridge was damaged, but also jewelry shops: sellers did not have time to remove their goods, and many jewelry ended up in the river, and it was not possible to get them all from the silted bottom. Naturally, no one will allow anyone to scuba dive near Ponte Vecchio in search of treasures; everything that Arno took in 1966 will forever remain her “property.”

Walking along the bridge you can see the statue of Benvenuto Cellini and... a huge number of “love locks”. They are attached in the most different corners bridge, young couples wishing to perpetuate their love. This tradition, of course, did not originate in Florence. But how could an Italian entrepreneur miss the chance to make good money? At the very end of the bridge there was a store that sold a wide variety of locks. His owner started a rumor that the feeling between a man and a woman would never fade if he attached a lock to the Ponte Vecchio and threw the key to it in the Arno. In a short period of time, the owner of the lock shop became one of the richest people in the city. Stick to new tradition This was decided not only by Florentines, but also by numerous tourists. There was not enough space: old locks were torn down and new ones were hung in their place. As a result, the bridge began to partially collapse. The Florentine authorities reacted to this quite quickly. Now, for a “lock of love” in a flourishing city, you can be fined 50 euros. The problem was only partially solved: for some couples in love this amount is symbolic and quite acceptable.