Ponte Vecchio is Florence’s oldest bridge and one of its most distinctive sights: a medieval crossing lined with jewellery shops that seem to hang over the Arno on wooden supports. Built in its present form in 1345, it replaced earlier bridges damaged or destroyed by floods. Its crowded shopfronts make the crossing feel more like a narrow street than a bridge.
Butchers and other food traders once occupied the shops, until Ferdinando I de’ Medici ordered them out in 1593 in favour of goldsmiths and jewellers. Their trade remains part of the bridge’s character today. Above the shops runs the Vasari Corridor, commissioned in 1565 to connect Palazzo Vecchio with Palazzo Pitti. Ponte Vecchio was also the only bridge in Florence left standing during the German retreat in 1944, though buildings at its approaches were destroyed.
Cross the bridge to see its glittering display windows, then head to Ponte Santa Trinita or the riverbanks for the classic view of its overhanging shops. Late-afternoon light warms the stone, while early morning offers a quieter walk before the crowds build.
Ponte Vecchio is free to cross and open to pedestrians at all hours. Jewellery prices vary considerably, so take time to compare pieces and look for a laboratorio if you’re interested in an on-site workshop. The Vasari Corridor is a separate attraction; check current opening times and ticket requirements before planning a visit.