Dante's Plaque: Ponte Vecchio

. . . CONVENIESI A QUELLA PIETRA SCEMA CHE GUARDA ‘L PONTE, CHE FIORENZA FESSE VITTIMA NELLA SUA PACE POSTREMA.

DANTE, PAR., XVI, 145-147.

BUT IT BEHOVED THE MUTILATED STONE WHICH GUARDS THE BRIDGE THAT FLORENCE SHOULD PROVIDE A VICTIM IN HER LATEST HOUR OF PEACE.

The main theme of this Canto is the decay of Florence and the end of peace for its inhabitants. These verses focus on the assassination of Buondelmonte Buondelmonti, which took place at the foot of the mutilated statue of Mars near Ponte Vecchio - side of Piazza del Pesce - where the plaque is located today. This episode marked the end of a peaceful civil life for Florence. Mars was the patron deity of Florence in pagan times.

To discover why some noble families decided to kill Buondelmonti, click here.