Arno River

Ahhh, the Arno River.

Let me take you on a little sight-seeing tour.

The Ponte Vecchio:

This amazing bridge was originally built in 996, destroyed by a flood and re-built in 1333.

Which continually astounds me.

It was the only bridge in Florence that wasn't destroyed by Hitler's retreat in 1944. 

(It is said that the economic concept of bankruptcy originated here: when a merchant could not pay his debts, the table on which he sold his wares (the "banco") was physically broken ("rotto") by soldiers, and this practice was called "bancorotto" (broken table; possibly it can come from "banca rotta" which means "broken bank"). Not having a table anymore, the merchant was not able to sell anything.)

source: wikipedia

The merchants were all butchers in the beginning across the bridge. Now there are jewelry shops lining the bridge.

There are two other bridges spanning the river here. The second one, I like to call "Lauren's bridge", as she crosses this one each day to and from school.

It is especially beautiful at dusk and sunset.

Night time isn't too shabby, either! 

I had a great time with my sister as she taught me a couple of the settings on my camera that I have never used.

There is a great lore along the Ponte vecchio, thought to be fairly new in tradition and started by the padlock owner at the end of the bridge.

If you write your name and your beloved's on a lock and lock it onto the other locks that are fastened onto various posts and chains, you then throw away your key into the Arno River and you will become eternally bonded.

I happen to think it's a great idea. Unfortunately, it damages the structure of the bridge and  I have since read you will receive a 50 euro ticket if caught doing it.

But who can stop love?

xo,

Lynn