Florence is preparing to restore Ponte Vecchio, which will undergo “treatment” between May and September of this year. It is the first time in history that the city has undertaken a comprehensive restoration project of the bridge. Its history dates back to ancient times: the first to build a multi-arched crossing were the Romans, around 50 B.C. It was a structure with masonry piers (a few remains have been identified) and a wooden superstructure; it was set at an oblique angle to the Arno River to better withstand the impact of floods. The bridge was later reinforced and widened around 123 A.D., when Emperor Hadrian had the Via Cassia Adrianea built, connecting Rome to Etruria. The bridge maintained its importance throughout the Empire, but over time the structure developed increasing stability problems and was destroyed by the flood of November 4, 1333, one of the most violent on record. The city’s aristocracy then financed an ambitious reconstruction plan, completed in 1345. The new bridge survived both the Nazi destruction of the 20th century and the tragic 1966 flood. It will now be restored with the utmost care.