Editing Ponte Vecchio (section)

==20th century==
In 1900, to honour and mark the fourth century of the birth of the great Florentine sculptor and master goldsmith [[Benvenuto Cellini]], the leading goldsmiths of the bridge commissioned the Florentine sculptor, [[Raffaello Romanelli]], to create a bronze bust of Cellini to stand atop a fountain in the middle of the Eastern side of the bridge, where it stands to this day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.raffaelloromanelli.com/en/about-us/founders/raffaello-romanelli/|title=Raffaello Romanelli |website=Galleria Romanelli|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-12-03}}</ref>
[[File:Scenes in Florence, Italy, 14 August 1944 TR2286.jpg|thumb|Damage shown shortly after liberation in August 1944 during World War II]]
During [[World War II]], the Ponte Vecchio was not destroyed by the German army during their retreat at the advance of the British [[Eighth Army (United Kingdom)|8th Army]] on 4 August 1944, unlike all the other bridges in Florence.<ref>''Encyclopædia Britannica'' online, '[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/469701/Ponte-Vecchio Ponte Vecchio]'.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Brucker|first=Gene|title=Renaissance Florence|publisher=University of California Press|year=1983|isbn=0-520-04695-1|pages=8}}</ref> This was, according to many locals and tour guides, because of an express order by [[Hitler]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Rumour has it... Hitler and the Ponte Vecchio|url=http://www.timetravelturtle.com/2012/04/ponte-vecchio-florence-hitler/|access-date=20 November 2012|publisher=Time Travel Turtle}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=A history of the Ponte Vecchio, Florence|url=http://www.holiday-velvet.com/guide/2009/11/florence-ponte-vecchio-history/|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121219172808/http://www.holiday-velvet.com/guide/2009/11/florence-ponte-vecchio-history/|archive-date=19 December 2012|access-date=20 November 2012|publisher=Holiday Velvet}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=6 January 2008|title=Florence: Walk with the Medicis over the Ponte Vecchio plebs|newspaper=The Independent|location=London|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/florence-walk-with-the-medicis-over-the-ponte-vecchio-plebs-768460.html|access-date=20 November 2012}}</ref> Access to the Ponte Vecchio was, however, obstructed by the destruction of the buildings at both ends of the bridge, which have since been rebuilt using a combination of original and modern designs.

The bridge was severely damaged in the [[1966 flood of the Arno]].<ref>[http://expo.khi.fi.it/gallery/the-flood-of-1966/impressions-of-the-city/ponte-vecchio Ponte Vecchio] at web site of the Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz</ref>

Between 2005 and 2006, 5,500 padlocks, known as [[love locks]], which were attached to the railings around the bust of Cellini, were removed by the city council. According to the council, the padlocks were aesthetically displeasing and damaged the bust and its railings. There is now a fine for attaching love locks to the bridge.<ref name='flor'>{{cite news | title = Florence tries to stamp out locks of love | date = 1 May 2006 | url = http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/tuscany/florence-tries-stamp-out-locks-love | work = Italy Mag | access-date = 17 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120826222438/http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/tuscany/florence-tries-stamp-out-locks-love | archive-date = 26 August 2012 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

An announcement in April 2024 stated that work would be completed on the bridge, including a cleaning, an upgrade of the replacement joints previously installed, strengthening of the stone and restoration of the footpath's stone.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/italy-florence-ponte-vecchio-to-be-restored/ff1e9981-c25d-476b-9f5b-ad26be4cbb09|title=Florence's famed Ponte Vecchio to be restored to former glory with two-year makeover|date=15 April 2024|work=Nine Entertainment Co. Pty Limited|access-date=16 April 2024|quote=}}</ref>