Rome (CNN) — The Ponte Vecchio, a lovely centuries-old bridge spanning the Arno River within the Italian metropolis of Florence, is greatest considered on foot, with crowds of vacationers repeatedly thronging the pedestrianized construction to view its historical stonework.
Particularly when, as one California vacationer found this week, trying to drive throughout it may price you greater than $540.
The unnamed 34-year-old man was hit with a 500-euro fantastic after crossing the bridge in a white rented Fiat Panda automobile, and for driving with out a world driver’s license, on Thursday morning, in accordance with a press release from the Metropolis of Florence press workplace.
He informed police he was looking for parking and did not understand that he was on the well-known medieval bridge, in accordance with the assertion.
The Ponte Vecchio is enclosed, lined with retailers and usually heaving with pedestrian site visitors.
The 98-foot (30-meter) lengthy landmark, which crosses the narrowest a part of the Arno River, hyperlinks the Pitti Palace to Piazza Repubblica. The unique bridge was begun within the yr 996 and completed in 1345, and has been swept away in floods and rebuilt a number of instances.
It’s the solely bridge in Florence not bombed by Germany in World Warfare II. It additionally homes the Vasari Hall, a passageway initially utilized by Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici between the Pitti Palace and the Palazzo Vecchio.
The Metropolis of Florence has earmarked 2 million euros for an in depth renovation undertaking, in accordance with the Metropolis of Florence finances.
The Fiat Panda driver is not alone in relation to vacationers inflicting hassle for themselves by apparently taking a improper flip right into a well-known Italian landmark.
Final Might, a Saudi man was apprehended attempting to depart Italy after he drove a rented Maserati sports activities automobile down the Spanish Steps in Rome and fled the scene after the automobile turned caught midway. He was charged with aggravated harm to cultural heritage and monuments.
High picture: Florence’s Ponte Vecchio bridge (Marta Carenzi/Mondadori Portfolio/Getty Photos)