The two plaques in the small square on the Ponte Vecchio hold ancient and profound memories. In a few lines, they recount the flood of November 4, 1333, when the Arno River, in an unstoppable fury, swept away the bridge and the structures upon it. But in the heart of Florence, nothing remains destroyed forever, and so, twelve years later, in 1345, the Ponte Vecchio rose from the waters with a new, stronger, and more resilient structure. Its three arches, designed to better withstand the river’s floods, became an emblem of resilience and engineering. The plaque’s inscription reminds us with simple but powerful words: “In 1333, the bridge fell due to a flood of waters; twelve years later, it was rebuilt with this adornment, as pleased the Commune.” During the Second World War, when all of Florence’s bridges were destroyed by bombs, the Ponte Vecchio miraculously remained intact, cementing its status as a symbol of the city. Inside the bridge lies the Vasari Corridor, built in 1565 by Giorgio Vasari at the request of Cosimo I de’ Medici, which crosses the bridge suspended over the river. This structure not only linked Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti, allowing the Medici family to move away from potential public riots, but also became a strategic passage for the Florentines during the Liberation. Today, the bridge stands as a witness to the city’s history, its spirit, and its capacity to endure through time and events.