The next leg of our journey took us to Florence, Italy.

The sites we visited in and around Florence are listed in yellow at left.

Click on them for more information and pictures.

The Ponte Vecchio ("Old Bridge") was built in 1345.  It was the only bridge in Florence to survive World War II.  This bridge is very unique as it is completely filled with shops.  Originally these shops belonged to blacksmiths, butchers etc.  It was around the time of the Medici rule that these shops were changed and they have since that time been jewelry shops.  To this day the bridge is end to end jewelry stores.  There is a small opening in the center which offers a nice view of the Arno- come here for some pretty sunset shots.

On a literary note, the Ponte Vecchio is referenced in Dante's Divine Comedy (Inferno).  Dante mentions a bust of St. John the Baptist that was actually swept away in a flood in 1333.  The bust stood as a symbol of the warlike nature of the residents of Florence. 

*** The information on the literary reference to Ponte Vecchio comes from this website ***

 Today Ponte Vecchio is a busy pedestrian walk way over the Arno.  The Ponte Vecchio is impossible to miss and you will probably find yourself crossing it, or at least being in close proximity to it, a lot.  It contains a walkway called the Vasari Corridor that connects the Uffizi to the Pallazo Pitti.  This used to be for members of the Medici family so they wouldn't have to walk around on the streets with commoners.  It is now a part of the Uffizi and it contains self-portraits of artists.  The Ponte Vecchio is gorgeous during the day, at sunset, and at night as well.  There are amazing residences lining the river in the area of the Ponte Vecchio that look as if they might dive right in the water at any moment.  What a view they have! 

***The Vasari Corridor is where those upper small windows are in the first picture.***

On our last night in town, we ate at the Ristorante Alfredo sull'Arno.  We ate on the outdoor balcony that overlooked the Arno and the Ponte Vecchio.  We watched the sunset and devoured our last true Italian meal.  The restaurant is located on the Pallazo Pitti side of the Arno on Via de' Bardi (if you would like to experience the same view)!  See what view I mean below...before dinner, during dinner, and at the end of dinner.

 

*** Information on this page is (unless specifically noted) from Eyewitness Travel Guides: Florence and Tuscany 2003. Pages 106-107. and from the business card from The Ristorante Alfredo sull'Arno. ***