Ponte Amerigo Vespucci, Modern bridge in central Florence, Italy.
The Ponte Amerigo Vespucci is a modern crossing over the Arno River with three thin arches supported by two concrete piers. The structure connects both riverbanks with a gently curved profile that appears as one flowing span.
Construction began in 1955 following a design competition won by architects Giuseppe Giorgio Gori, Enzo Gori, and Ernesto Nelli alongside engineer Riccardo Morandi. The crossing replaced earlier bridges that once connected these riverbanks.
The bridge takes its name from Amerigo Vespucci, a Florence native whose voyages led to America being named after him. His connection to the city remains visible through this major crossing that bears his legacy.
The crossing serves vehicles and pedestrians as a main route between the two main riverbank roads. Walking across offers clear views of the Arno and the city from the middle of the span.
The design creates an optical illusion of a single curved span, although it actually consists of three separate sections. This effect occurs because the continuous curve visually connects all the structural parts into one flowing form.
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