The Ponte di Rialto in Venice and the Ponte Vecchio in Florence are examples of multi-purpose bridges. Not only are they used for transportation but they also host a variety of stores.
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| Ponte di Rialto Venice |
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| Ponte Vecchio Florence |
The current Rialto Bridge was designed by Antonio da Ponte who beat out many more famous people including Michelangelo to get the job. It was completed in 1591. It is always busy here with tourists trying for a photo with nobody else in the background (impossible) or shopping in the boutiques which sell overpriced tourist paraphernalia. Cross the bridge into San Polo sestiere and you will find the same merchandise at lower prices. You also would be entering the market area. From the bridge there are great views in both directions if you manage to elbow your way through the tourists.
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| Rialto taken from the Vaporetto stop. Below is a video of the Grand Canal at the Rialto |
The current Ponte Vecchio (literally old bridge) was constructed in 1345. It spans the Arno River which often makes attempts to sweep this bridge away as it has with numerous previous iterations. You will find jewellers, art dealers and souvenir sellers and a great gelato store. The bridge is the best way to get to the Pitti Palace and other North shore attractions. On top of the bridge is the Vasari Corridor, a fortified passage that leads from the Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi to the Pitti Palace. In less secure times this passage was used by city leaders to flee from attackers. You can go for a walk along the corridor as it is open to the public however according to Rick Steves this is not easy to do. We didn't try it as we were more interested in shopping than sightseeing.
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| Gelateria on the Ponte Vecchio |
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| Vasari Corridor taken from Uffizi Gallery |
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