The Ponte Vecchio is among the most famous bridges in the world. Built in Roman times, and rebuilt again several hundred years later, it survived even the massive bombings of World War II.

Much like the Rialto Bridge in Venice, the Pont Vecchio is lined with shops on either side. It’s closed to vehicular traffic now, and is basically a gold and jewellery shopping center that spans the Arno River as it runs through Florence. Our tour guide told a story of the butchers that dominated the bridge up until 500 years ago – the ruling family had them ousted in favour of the jewelers who could pay higher taxes and attract a more prestigious crowd.

The gold merchants are still there, as can be seen in this video. But the working class still returns at night – illegal street vendors, with their imitation handbags and other wares, easily portable, wrapped in blankets. When the cops show up – agents of the modern day Medici – the street vendors vanish.

PA180001.MOV: Walking the Ponte Vecchio, 27MB

Orientation: View Google Map. This video starts looking west up the Arno. The walk starts at the northern end of the bridge, and almost makes it to the south end, just short of us running out of card space. :(

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