Florence

The Ponte Vecchio’s status as the oldest bridge in Florence saved it from destruction during the Nazi retreat from Italy in 1944. They defied orders to blow up the stately bridge straddling the Arno river and bombed the ancient buildings on either side of it instead. The Arno flood of 1966 also tested the bridge’s resilience and swept parts of it away in its powerful current. The most affected sections were the overhanging shops belonging to the gold and silversmiths. In 1593 the original tenants - butchers, tanners and blacksmiths - were evicted from the workshops because of the noise and stench they created.

This magnificent Gothic church built in 1294 contains the tombs of many celebrated Florentines such as Michelangelo, Galileo, Ghiberti and Machiavelli.