1-269-846 - Peter Thompson/Heritage Images

River Arno and Ponte Vecchio from Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence, Italy. The Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) over the River Arno was built in the 14th century, predominantly by Taddeo Gaddi. The oldest segmental arch bridge in Europe, the bridge has a series of overhanging shops built upon it. Up to the late 16th century these were occupied by butchers until, unable to tolerate the smell, Cosimo I de Medici had them moved on. Since then the shops have been occupied by gold and silversmiths. In 1944 the Ponte Vecchio escaped destruction when the retreating Germans, under orders to destroy all the bridges over the Arno, blocked access to it by blowing up buildings at either end of the bridge instead.