Ponte Vecchio

The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) was the primary crossing of the Arno river within the city walls of Florence.

Constructed in Roman times, by the Renaissance, the Ponte Vecchio housed a myriad of shops, market stools and houses along it's two edges, and was a popular location for both natives of Florence, and it's visitors. In 1476, the bridge was the sight of a large street fight between the friends of Ezio Auditore da Firenze and Vieri de' Pazzi, who had recently developed a strong rivalry over the issues involving their fathers. Two years later, Ezio met with the ruler of Florence, Lorenzo de' Medici, to discuss the Pazzi Conspiracy.

In 1498, the bridge was blockaded by the followers of Girolamo Savonarola, who would demand payments for passage.