The Old Bridge

If you have ever thought about traveling to Florence, you have probably heard about the great Ponte Vecchio. Known as one of the most famous bridges in the world, this iconic symbol of the city is one of six main bridges in Florence. It crosses the Arno River at one of the river’s narrowest points, and provides what I believe to be the best location to view the city’s waterfront.

If you are standing a few blocks away from the bridge, you will notice its façade blends in with the buildings on either end of the overpass. It is painted in various shades of creams, golds, and soft oranges, matching perfectly with the buildings beside it. Each window on the bridge is sheltered by green, white, or brown shutters typically open during the day and shut tight in the evening. Water slowly moves past the stone pillars of the giant arches, which effortlessly balance the numerous shops above. 

The best view of the water is when you stand at the end of the bridge at night. As the sun begins to set on the horizon, you can always find an abundance of street performers in the area. You might run into mimes or jugglers, but the musicians are always the greatest form of entertainment. From traditional violins or saxophones, to the melodious accordions, the music you will hear always seems to compliment the picturesque view of the river. The songs are softly played and provide a touch of romance to the scene. As you begin to walk onto the bridge, you will discover that only jewelers and goldsmiths occupy the bridge. This stands in stark contrast to its original occupants: butchers perched along the bridge took advantage of the waterfront property to dispose of unwanted trimmings in the Arno river. Oh, how times have changed. Today, shop windows show off sparkling gold and glistening jewels that rest on white and black trays of velvet. It is impossible to avoid stopping and staring in awe at the beautiful displays. With each window you pass, the jewelry seems to become more and more extravagant. You can find watches, pendants, and rings of all kinds (bottom left).

At the exact center of the bridge stands a fountain monument dedicated to Benvenuto Cellini, a famous Florentine sculptor. Below the sculpture, an inscription reads, “To Benvenuto Cellini – Master – The goldsmiths of Florence.” The iron fence surrounding the monument is adorned with metal locks of all sorts, usually with initials inscribed on them (pictured right). Many lovers believe if they latch one of these locks to the fence and toss the keys into the river, their love for each other will be eternal. As a romantic myself, I cannot wait for the day that I, too, can participate in this beautiful ritual. 

If you are looking for a place filled with historic beauty and serenity, or just looking for a spot to enjoy the Arno River, the overpass is the perfect area to go. Known to so many around the world, the ‘Old Bridge’ is truly a Florence staple. The Ponte Vecchio is one of my favorite places in Florence, and I will continue to visit it nearly every day.

This post was written by Hannah Marie Zaininger, a senior at Purdue University. Hannah is studying Health Sciences with a concentration in Occupational Therapy. She is pursuing two minors in Psychology and in Human Development and Family Studies. Hannah aspires to work in rehabilitation for people with developmental disabilities.