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Il Ponte Vecchio
(The Old Bridge)
A Very Famous Bridge In Florence
Worksheet


Even before the construction of the present Ponte Vecchio, there has always been a bridge at this part of the river. It is known that a bridge existed here as far back as ancient Roman times.
There is some uncertainty about who actually designed the current stone bridge. Some people believe that it was the artist Taddeo Gaddi and others say that it was the architect Neri Fioravanti.
The interesting feature of Il Ponte Vecchio is that buildings have been constructed on the bridge. These buildings are shops and houses.


Originally, London Bridge was very similar to the Ponte Vecchio because it also had shops and buildings on top of it. Old London Bridge can be compared to Il Ponte Vecchio in a famous engraving below by Claes Van Visscher.
