Ponte Vecchio (Italy)
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Ponte Vecchio, {CATEGORY}
Best known of all Florence's treasures, this glorious bridge was the only one of six spared by the retreating Germans on 4 August 1944. Over the centuries flooding unfortunately took its toll; few traces of the 10th-century bridge remain. Today's bridge, built in 1345, was filled with butcher's shops which would routinely discard the carcasses into the Arno causing quite a stench. Grand Duke Fernandino I issued an edict to replace the butchers with goldsmiths to eradicate the smell and gentrify royalty's route to Palazzo Pitti , reached via the Vasari Corridor that passes over the bridge. Also, do not padlock anything to the statue of Benvenuto Cellini, often practiced by lovers who padlock a lock to the gate of the statue and toss the key into the river - otherwise face a fine of EUR 50!
Practical Information
Address: Ponte Vecchio, Florence 50125
City: Florence
Country: Italy
Access by bus: Bus B or D
Hotels nearby
With its central location, Pitti Palace Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Florence. All of the hotel's 73 guestrooms are equipped with standard in-room aRead moremenities to ensure the maximum comfort for its guests. The hotel provides a warm and welcoming service of international standard. For your reservation at the Pitti Palace Hotel Florence, please enter your preferred visit dates and follow our secure online booking form.Hide
Located only 7 metres from the Ponte Vecchio, the famous bridge with all the jewellers shops, within easy walking distance to the Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Palace and the main sights and museums. As you cRead moreross the Ponte Vecchio, you are in the centre of the Renaissance, the Cathedral and the Baptistry, Piazza della Signoria and the Palazzo Vecchio are only few minutes away. Located in "Oltrarno", the side of the river were you can still feel the right Florentine atmosphere, between the narrow streets you can see the artisans making their masterpieces of leather, frames, jewellery and many others. Elegant shops of antiques near little shops of junk dealers, where it is possible to find some interesting objects. Here every stone, every corner has its own history. The Hotel itself has its own history. It used to be a medieval tower, bombed during the Second World War, was rebuilt keeping the original architecture. In some of the rooms and in the meeting room you can still see the holes that were used to build the tower. Inside you will be welcomed by the friendly staff, all rooms nicely decorated and fully equipped with safe, minibar, direct telephone, TV with international channels. In 2006 14 new rooms have been added, with higher standards of equipment and decoration. But for your special stay, we have a beautiful Suite on the top floor with 360 degree view over Florence. In the morning don't miss our Buffet in the Breakfast room on the sixth floor, the large windows allow you to enjoy a beautiful view of Florence and in summertime we open our Terraces. In the evening you can combine the view and the romantic candlelight atmosphere with tasty dishes of our Restaurant and have "Dinner with a view". Either you come by train or Airplane, it is very easy to reach the Hotel. The Florentine main Train Station "Santa Maria Novella" is only 15 to 20 minutes walk, by cab it is a ride of 5/10 minutes. Florentine Airport has now improved service, cabs are available outside, the ride is about 20 minutes. If you are with your own car, near the Hotel there are many garages were you can park. in cases of early departures, 10pct of the remaining stay will be charged.Hide
It is situated at via barbadori,1 in the east section of Florence, at only 3 minutes walking distance from the center.This Florence hotel is of a Family category and is a {stars} . You will find severRead moreal amenities such as : n.a..The Peretola airport is about 13 minutes by car from the hotel (4 miles ).Strozzi Palace, The Baptistry, Belltower by Giotto, S.Maria del Fiore - Duomo, Basilica of Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella, S. Croce, Medici Riccardi Palace, Hospital of Innocents, Basilica of San Lorenzo, Rucellai Palace, are some of the monuments that can be visited nearby the hotel.Hide
With its central location, Hotel Hermitage is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Florence.The Hotel Hermitage boasts a convenient location with modern amenities inRead more every guestroom and superb service.Each guestroom is fully equipped with non smoking rooms, air conditioning, daily newspaper, desk, hair dryer.This Florence accommodation features on-site facilities such as shops, elevator, bar/pub, safety deposit boxes, business center.The hotel creates a balance of rich culture and modern convinience to ensure you a memorable stay. To proceed with your reservation at the Hotel Hermitage via our secure online booking form, please enter your period of stay.Hide
Discover all that Florence has to offer with Gallery Art Hotel as a base.All 60 at this 4-star property offers well-furnished rooms and attentive service.In-room facilities include air conditioning, tRead moreelevision, non smoking rooms, hair dryer.This Florence accommodation features on-site facilities such as 24hr room service, shops, bar/pub, restaurant.Modern comfort and convenience are seamlessly combined to ensure the guests' satisfaction.To proceed with your booking at the Gallery Art Hotel, simply choose your travel dates and fill in our secure online booking form.Hide
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Ponte Vecchio, {CATEGORY}
The oldest and most famous bridge across the Arno, the Ponte Vecchio we know today was built in 1345 by Taddeo Gaddi to replace an earlier version. The characteristic overhanging shops have lined the bridge since at least the 12th century. In the 16th century, it was home to butchers until Cosimo I moved into the Palazzo Pitti across the river. He couldn't stand the stench as he crossed the bridge from on high in the Corridorio Vasariano every day, so he evicted the meat cutters and moved in the classier gold- and silversmiths, tradesmen who occupy the bridge to this day. A bust of the most famous Florentine goldsmith, the swashbuckling autobiographer and Perseus sculptor Benvenuto Cellini, stands off to the side of the bridge's center, in a small piazza overlooking the Arno. From this vantage point Mark Twain, spoiled by the mighty Mississippi, once wryly commented, "It is popular to admire the Arno. It is a great historical creek, with four feet in the channel and some scows floating about. It would be a very plausible river if they would pump some water into it. They call it a river, and they honestly think it is a river . . . They even help out the delusion by building bridges over it. I do not see why they are too good to wade". The Ponte Vecchio's fame saved it in 1944 from the Nazis, who had orders to blow up all the bridges before retreating out of Florence as Allied forces advanced. They couldn't bring themselves to reduce this span to rubble - so they blew up the ancient buildings on either end instead to block it off. The Arno flood of 1966 wasn't so discriminating, however, and severely damaged the shops. Apparently, a private night watchman saw the waters rising alarmingly and called many of the goldsmiths at home, who rushed to remove their valuable stock before it was washed away.
Ponte Vecchio, {CATEGORY}
Best known of all Florence's treasures, this glorious bridge was the only one of six spared by the retreating Germans on 4 August 1944. Over the centuries flooding unfortunately took its toll; few traces of the 10th-century bridge remain. Today's bridge, built in 1345, was filled with butcher's shops which would routinely discard the carcasses into the Arno causing quite a stench. Grand Duke Fernandino I issued an edict to replace the butchers with goldsmiths to eradicate the smell and gentrify royalty's route to Palazzo Pitti , reached via the Vasari Corridor that passes over the bridge. Also, do not padlock anything to the statue of Benvenuto Cellini, often practiced by lovers who padlock a lock to the gate of the statue and toss the key into the river - otherwise face a fine of EUR 50!
Ponte Vecchio, {CATEGORY}
Best known of all Florence's treasures, this glorious bridge was the only one of six spared by the retreating Germans on 4 August 1944. Over the centuries flooding unfortunately took its toll; few traces of the 10th-century bridge remain. Today's bridge, built in 1345, was filled with butcher's shops which would routinely discard the carcasses into the Arno causing quite a stench. Grand Duke Fernandino I issued an edict to replace the butchers with goldsmiths to eradicate the smell and gentrify royalty's route to Palazzo Pitti , reached via the Vasari Corridor that passes over the bridge. Also, do not padlock anything to the statue of Benvenuto Cellini, often practiced by lovers who padlock a lock to the gate of the statue and toss the key into the river - otherwise face a fine of EUR 50!
Activities nearby
- nightlife
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- 118 yd Le Volpi E L’Uva:
- Market and shopping area
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- 81 yd Madova Gloves:
- restaurant
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- 180 yd Antico Fattore:
- Bridge
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- 19 yd Ponte Vecchio:
- 11 yd Ponte Vecchio:
- leisure
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- 128 yd Internet Train:
- Religious site
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- 215 yd Chiesa dei Santi Apostoli:
- Museum
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- 202 yd Gallerie degli Uffizi: