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Ponte Vecchio Tours

Ponte Vecchio Tours

A Bridge As Old As Time

Standing for more than 650 years, The Ponte Vecchio is a major symbol of Florence. Originally a defensive outpost, now you’ll find all the best Florentine jewellers and incredible views over the Arno.

All of Our Ponte Vecchio Experiences

Tourist visiting the Accademia in Florence and looking at the David of Michelangelo and the Painting of the Venus at the Uffizi Gallery
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Semi-Private Florence Tour with Uffizi, Michelangelo’s David and Accademia

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Tourist visiting the Accademia in Florence and looking at the David of Michelangelo
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Best of Florence Walking Tour with Michelangelo's David and Duomo

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See What Else Florence Has To Offer

Duomo of Florence

Duomo of Florence

Uffizi Gallery

Uffizi Gallery

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Michelange's David & Accademia Gallery

Tuscany

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Our.Umbraco.Vorto.Models.VortoValue

The Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio is one of the most famous bridges in both Florence and the world. Built very close to the Roman crossing, the Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, was the only bridge that crossed the Arno until 1218.

The Ponte Vecchio was originally designed as a defensive structure. In Medieval Italy rivers were used to launch attacks on enemies, and although Florence was surrounded by walls, it was still vulnerable to enemy attack from boats traveling along the Arno. The bridge had four towers (two at each end), and walls with battlements running along both sides, with an observation area in the center of the bridge. But the bridge you see today was actually built in 1350 after flooding carried away the original bridge in 1333.

In the mid-16th century, an enclosed passageway was created for the Grand Duke Cosimo I. It was used to allow them to pass from their palace on the Olrarno, the Palazzo Pitti, through the Uffizi to the Palazzo Vecchio by a covered walkway. It was the perfect way for the Duke to avoid mingling with the commoners and to protect himself from enemies.

To recover the money spent on restoring the bridge, the government of Florence rented out the 46 shops built on it and by the 17th century, the bridge had evolved to the one still standing today.

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