““Florence Earlier today we strolled across the Ponte Vecchio. This bridge was built over the Arno River in 1345. It is lined with jewelry shops. Originally, the shops were used by blacksmiths, tanners, and butchers. They dumped their waste into the river, causing quite a smell! A corridor above the shops was added later. This allowed the Medici family--rulers of Florence--to move about without having to come in contact with the public.””
