Ponte Vecchio or old bridge over the River Arno in Florence , Italy,

Even in ancient times, one of the easiest ways to collect money for the upkeep of the bridge was renting space on the bridge

 to merchants and shopkeepers. In today's world to the present day survived only four such bridge.

Ponte Vecchio in Florence

1. Ponte Vecchio or old bridge over the River Arno in Florence, Italy, is one of the most iconic medieval bridges.

The bridge was situated many shops and stores with the 13-th century. Merchants sell their wares on tables after receiving approval to do

so from the relevant authorities.

2. When the merchant couldn't pay off your debts, a table, on which he sold his goods ("Banco"), broke the soldiers ("rotto"),

which was the effective closure of the business. This practice was called "bankorotto", where the actual and economic concept of bankruptcy.

3. Stores belonged to the community of the city and were leased, originally mâsnikam, fish traders and letting Leatherworkers alter stats on.

But these merchants produced as much garbage and stench that Duke Ferdinando de ' Medici ordered to expel them from the bridge and replaced by

jewelers. The problem was that the Vasari corridor, which connects the town of Florence with the Palace of the ruling family, took place on the bridge

Ponte Vecchio, and had to endure this vile odor. Therefore, the Duke decided it was better on the bridge to give space for trade jewelers. Jewellers

still constitute the majority of the shops on the Ponte Vecchio and today.

4. In fact, some of the finest jewellers, Florence still consider prestigious to sell their creations on this medieval bridge.

5. From Florence taxi Europe in just one hour you will be able to deliver not less than atmospheric and beautiful city of Pisa, or on the coast of Livorno.

 

Kremerbrûke, Erfurt

6. Kremerbrûke, or the bridge of merchants in the German city of Erfurt, crosses over the river Brajtstrom.

The bridge with the two sides tightly packed half-timbered houses and narrow lane runs along the Center.

In ancient buildings are shops selling all kinds of works of traditional crafts, as well as fabrics, hand-painted ceramics, blown glass products,

jewelry and antiques. The bridge also has a café and snack bars, offering exceptional dishes according to the recipes of the Thuringian specialities.

7. Kremerbrûke was built of wood in the year 1117, and became part of the trade route Via Regia, but after repeated fires, the Council Hall of the city

decided to build a stone bridge. Stone bridge was completed in the year 1325. At each end of the bridge was built two stone churches.

 The city suffered from the fighting razrušitel′nogo in 1472, which destroyed nearly half of the city, together with almost all houses on the bridge.

The bridge was rebuilt in its present form with 62 buildings, but after reconstruction authority left only 32 homes.

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Rialto Bridge, Venice

10. Rialto Bridge or "Ponte di Rialto" in Italy, is the oldest of the four bridges over the Grand Canal in Venice. Initially,

the bridge was made of wood and was built in the year 1255, replacing the old pontoon bridge, at which people get to the Rialto market on the East Coast. The bridge had two inclined ramps towards each other, which were movable and could divorce to ensure passage of sailing ships.

Shops here appeared only in the first half of 15 century to generate revenue in State coffers.
Due to the fact that the wooden bridge was not strong (bridge already fell into the water twice and once burned during the uprising),

 it was proposed to build a stone bridge. Famous architects have proposed their own plans. Finally, the original design was chosen with sloping ramps.

The present stone bridge was built in the year 1591. It has two inclined ramps leading to the Central portico.

On either side of the portico, under a covered ramp, there are rows of shops.

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Pulteney Bridge, Bath, England.

14. Pulteney bridge across the River Avon in bath, England, was designed by architect Robert Adam.

On the construction of such a bridge inspired by the example of bridges, the Ponte Vecchio and Ponte di Rialto.

Pulteney bridge was commissioned by William Johnstone, a wealthy Scottish lawyer and member of Parliament,

who inherited a considerable fortune and real estate after his marriage to Frances Pulteney, in honor of which was named after the bridge.

William wanted to have the bridge so he could join their part of a massive 600-acre estate in a new town and suburb of the city of bath,

located on opposite sides of the river.
The bridge was built in the year 1774, but bridge has undergone so many changes over the past three centuries, that the current bridge has scant

resemblance to the original design as conceived by Robert Adam. Today the bridge has two ranges of the Palladian-style shops between them,

 forming a narrow street.

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