History of "The Oldest Bridge in Florence"

Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy
Photo from Wiki Commons

The Ponte Vecchio, designed by Taddeo Gaddi, arches over Florence’s Arno River at its narrowest point. Initially, bridge storefronts were utilized by butchers; however, over time, and through natural destruction and reconstruction, it has become a treasure trove full of equal numbers of jewels and tourists. “The version preceding the present one was completed around 1200. Remembered for its five high arches and "camel back" profile, it became the old bridge as several new ones went up shortly afterward to serve a population of 100,000” (Pridmore). This has garnered the bridge a reputation of status and antique appeal for locals and tourists. The proportions are fitting to the unique historic European style: modest and small portions extending out from a bridge, barely wide enough for two cars to pass each other. Each storefront is so small that they are out of proportion with the rest of the larger tourist shopping areas surrounding the Ponte Vecchio that have been built more recently and on a slightly larger scale. Further, the Ponte Vecchio is not only a destination for its own beauty; Dati points out that, “shops on both sides make it seem not a bridge, except at the center where there is a piazza with parapets, which show off the river above and below... In this case he is pointing out a view of nature, the river, as it is heightened by a man-made frame" (The Earliest Guide). The Ponte Vecchio not only stands in beauty itself, but guides the eye to the natural beauty of Florence. 

Essay by Georgia Button and Kate Logue 

Bibliography

Pridmore, Jay. "Ponte Vecchio, a Bridge That Spans Centuries." The Wall Street 

     Journal: n. pag. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. <http://online.wsj.com/article/ 

     SB10001424052748704717004575268933589711578.html>. 

This article from the Wall Street Journal: Europe Edition gives a brief overview of the history and architecture of the Ponte Vecchio, discussing its form as well as its function. 

 The Earliest Guide to Florentine Architecture, 1423. Florence: 

     Kunsthistorisches Institut, 1969. JSTOR. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. 

     <http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/27652221>. 

This book, found on JSTOR, covers Florentine Architecture and features a small but informative section about the Ponte Vecchio, utilizing primary sources and scholarly information.