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Ponte VecchioThe oldest bridge in Florence, created in 1345 by Neri di Fioravante (or Taddeo Gaddi, accordingly with Vasari) and the only one remained intact even after the Second World War. The Bridge's always been full of workshops, even though all tanners, blacksmiths, and butchers that used to occupy that area and throw out the rubbish into the river were chased away from Ferdinand I because of the noise and horrible stench. The ancient shops were restored and rented to the most decorous goldsmiths. Nowadays Ponte Vecchio is still flanked by luxury shops specialized in modern and ancient jewels. The Vasari's Corridor runs along the eastern side of the bridge, just above the shops, and is adorned by numerous marvellous self-portraits of artists like Rembrandt, Rubens and Hogarth. Giorgio Vasari designed it in 1565 in order to allow the Medici to move to Palazzo Pitti along a private and protected pass, safe from the crowd.
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