Ponte Vecchio = The Old Bridge
The oldest bridge in Florence
Lies at the south bank of Arno river in Oltrarano District, is one of the most beautiful scenes in Florence, and it is one of the most famous bridges around the world.
History of the bridge goes back to the 16th century, it was a vision of the Italian architect and painter Taddeo Gaddi. However, the first version of the bridge was built during the Roman times. Back then it was built from wood and stone. Many versions of the bridge followed as none withstood the the floods and powerful waves of the Arno river. Taddeo Gaddi used lower and wider arches, as a result the newest design has less pillars allowing more waves to flow under the bridge without disturbing its structure. The bridge earned the honor of being the bridge that never dies after it survived WWII and the great flood of 1966.
The bridge's walk way is known as the 'Walkway of the Rich and Famous', the naming is not random. When the Grand Duke of Tuscany moved into his palace along the river, he would cross the Vecchio on his way to work, and one day he decreed that he does want to see butchers and slaughterhouses and he ordered that butchers leave the bridge and instead he wanted to see gold and silver shops. These shops are part of the bridge's tradition that is conserved till this day.
An interesting fact about the bridge is that it carries Pythagorean mystic numbers in its design. It is considered harmonic because its lateral dimensions are equal to a musical octave. The harmonic design adds to the appeal and the beauty of the bridge. This reminds of Arab and Muslim mathematicians who were pretty sophisticated in their way of thinking when designing buildings as mathematical figures played a fundamental role since they believed that mathematics connect us and it is vital for the order of nature and the universe.
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