The Lungarno

The Arno River and the city of Florence have been closely linked from the very origin of the city itself. The large Tuscan river divides the city into two areas: the historic center and the Oltrarno, which in fact means "on the other side of the Arno".

Walking along the Lungarni, the streets that flank the Arno, you can observe many stately buildings with their elegant and refined facades. But the real protagonists are without a doubt the bridges that allow you to cross the river: the famous Ponte Vecchio, with its picturesque shops and the Vasari Corridor; Ponte alle Grazie, named because of votive tabernacles that were on it during the Middle Ages; Ponte Santa Trinita, built following a design by Michelangelo; Ponte alla Carraia, the second bridge in the history of the city, and many others.

All Florentine bridges, with the exception of Ponte Vecchio, and most of the adjacent areas, were destroyed during the Nazi bombing on the night of August 3, 1944 to prevent Allied troops from entering the city. After the end of the war, a huge project to rebuild the destroyed bridges, monuments and buildings was carried out.

Strolling along the Arno river, especially during sunset time, is a momentous experience that still captures the hearts of all visitors.