Originally built out of wood in 972 by the Etruscans this world famous bridge was initially built to allow access over the widest part of the Arno. Due to the enormous amount of traffic crossing over the bridge, the more enterprising decided to set up shop on the bridge itself. When the Medici family moved into Florence bringing eith them vast wealth as appreciation for the finer things in life. When they acknowledged the use of the Arno by the merchants led to an increasing degree of pollution of its waters, they decided to take action by replacing them with goldsmiths and artists and soon the number of shops greatly increased. Florence grew rapidly due to this increase of trade not to mention structure and strength given to the bridge. Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge which survived the perils of WWII and the massive flood of 1966 which wiped out the shops on the bridge.