Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge spanning the river Arno. It was built in 1342 and has a corridor along the eastern side of the bridge that enabled Cosimo I de Medici to cross the river and avoid mixing with the plebs below. Initially there were butchers on the bridge but because of the stink they were ordered to leave and the butchers were replaced by jeweler who are still there to-day. During World War II the Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge in Florence that was not destroyed by the retreating German army.