General view of the Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Tuscany, Italy, pictured on June 8, 2007, in the early morning. The Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, crosses the River Arno at its narrowest point. The original bridge, possibly Roman and first documented in 999, was swept away in a flood in 1117, rebuilt, swept away again in 1333 and rebuilt in 1345. In 1565 Cosimo de Medici commissioned Vasari to design a corridor, above the famous shops along the bridge, connecting the Palazzo Vecchio to the Pitti Palace. In 1593 the Medicis prohibited butchers, the traditional occupants, from the shops which were soon taken by Goldsmiths. Florence, capital of Tuscany, is world famous for its Renaissance art and architecture. Its historical centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. Picture by Manuel Cohen.
Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download