Florence's Ponte Vecchio The Ponte Vecchio Bridge shops are now home to high-end jewellers. Once inhabited by butcher shops, Ferdinando I de' Medici ordered them out during his reign due to the smell that developed as a result of butchers throwing unwanted meat into the river below. Address:
Ponte Di Santa Trinita This bridge is attached to a piazza bearing the same name. Originally constructed with wood, flooding has caused its collapse more than once. The bridge had to be completely rebuilt after the Second World War, when retreating German soldiers were ordered to blow it up. Address:
The Ponte Vecchio Bridge The Ponte Vecchio is perhaps Italy's most famous bridge, due to both its architectural brilliance and historical significance. During the Second World War, it was the only bridge to escape the grenades of German soldiers - some say as direct orders from Hitler himself, while others site disobedience. Nonetheless, its exclusion from destruction is a testament to its distinction. Address:
