Ponte Vecchio
피렌체
bridge in Florence, Italy
Contents
9 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation1:43
Welcome to the Ponte Vecchio, the 'Old Bridge' of Florence. This iconic stone arch bridge is more than just a crossing over the Arno River; it is a living piece of history, an entire medieval street suspended over the water. …
Listen in the app2The Medieval Street over Water1:30
The Ponte Vecchio is a marvel of medieval urban design. It is built as a segmental arch bridge, which was a technological innovation in 1345, allowing for fewer piers and a wider span for the river. …
Listen in the app3From Butchers to Goldsmiths1:34
For over two hundred years, the Ponte Vecchio was a place of loud, smelly commerce. The shops were filled with butchers who would slaughter livestock and throw the unwanted parts directly into the Arno. …
Listen in the app4The Vasari Corridor: The Secret Way1:35
If you look up at the top of the shops on the eastern side of the bridge, you will see a series of small, square windows. These belong to the Vasari Corridor, a secret elevated passageway built by Giorgio Vasari in 1565. …
Listen in the app5Survival in World War II1:33
The Ponte Vecchio holds the distinction of being the only bridge in Florence not destroyed by the retreating German army in August 1944. As the Allied forces approached, the Germans blew up every other bridge along the Arno to…
Listen in the app6The Central Arches and the Cellini Bust1:36
In the middle of the bridge, the row of shops is interrupted by three open arches that offer a magnificent view of the Arno. This is the heart of the bridge's social life. …
Listen in the app7Night on the Ponte Vecchio1:36
As evening falls, the Ponte Vecchio takes on a completely different character. The jewelry shops close their heavy wooden shutters, which look like treasure chests bolted shut for the night. …
Listen in the app8Ponte Vecchio1:24
As you walk off the stone pavement of the Ponte Vecchio and back onto the streets of Florence, take one last look back at the iconic silhouette of the overhanging shops. You have crossed more than just a river; you have walked…
Listen in the app9Closing1:24
As you walk off the stone pavement of the Ponte Vecchio and back onto the streets of Florence, take one last look back at the iconic silhouette of the overhanging shops. You have crossed more than just a river; you have walked…
Listen in the app
What is Ponte Vecchio?
Ponte Vecchio is a place in 피렌체 with 9 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | 피렌체 |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 9 |
| Total length | 13 min 55 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 43.7680, 11.2532 |
| Last updated |
