Why the Ponte Vecchio is special
It is the world's most photogenic bridge. Both sides of Ponte Vecchio bear an eye-catching set of buildings, forming a covered passageway between the banks of the Arno River in Florence, Italy.

How it evolved
Ponte Vecchio aptly means "Old Bridge" in Italian. It was built in 1345 after the previous bridge had been swept away by the flooding river.
Originally, the bridge buildings housed butcher shops and greengrocers. This changed in the 15th century when the government decided that such enterprises were unglamorous for Ponte Vecchio's image. The food merchants were soon replaced with gold and silversmiths.The jewelry trade continues to this day to be a mainstay on the bridge

Came close to being destroyed
Ponte Vecchio was almost blown up in World War II by the retreating Germans, who ordered the destruction of all Florence bridges to slow down the advancing Allied armies. At the last minute, the 600-year-old Ponte Vecchio was spared for posterity's sake.

What leading travel books say about the Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio is a gem of medieval and Renaissance architecture.
Italy Guide
Open Road Guides

The views of and from the Ponte Vecchio are every bit as beguiling as you might expect.
Italy
Lonely Planet