Stretch of the Lungarno with the Ponte Amerigo Vespucci

The Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci in Florence is one stretch of the road running along the northern bank of the river Arno. Several buildings among the 19th century palaces lining the street have been transformed into luxury hotels. The street is named after the explorer who gave America its name.

A brief history of the Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci in Florence

The Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci was constructed in 1583. In order to make its construction possible, several buildings directly on the bank of the river needed to be destroyed.

In 1857 it was named for Vespucci, who used to live in the area.

What to see

Apart from the 19th century hotels, the most important sights are the Villa Favard, the Pescaia di Santa Rosa and the Palazzo Calcagnini. The consulates of the United States, Austria and Monaco have their seats in the Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci.

The street stretches from the Ponte alla Carraia to the Ponte alla Vittoria. The Ponte Amerigo Vespucci is right in the middle.

Palazzo Calcagnini

Palazzo Calcagnini (United States Consulate in Florence)

The Palazzo Calcagnini is the seat of the U.S. Consulate in Florence. It is also known as Palazzo Canevaro di Zoagli. Its construction was commissioned by Marquis Manfredo Calcagnini Estensi, in 1857. The architect was Giuseppe Poggi, the leading Florentine architect of the period, having also designed the Piazzale Michelangelo. In the early 20th century, Giuseppe Canevaro, duke of Zoagli, bought the building. In 1949, it was acquired by the United States of America.

Villa Favard

Villa Favard Florence

The Villa (or Palazzo) Favard is the current seat of Polimoda, one of the most prestigious fashion schools in the world. The building was constructed between 1857 and 1858, also by Giuseppe Poggi. Its construction had been commissioned by Fiorella Favard de l’Anglade, who had had to fight the city, because the building was supposed to have been in line with the surrounding ones.

Garibaldi monument

Garibaldi monument in Florence, with the American Consulate on the left.

There monument dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi is located right next to the American consulate. The bronze sculpture was made in 1890, by Cesare Zocchi. There was a little bit of scandal involved, since Zocchi‘s design had had to win a jury competition of which his cousin was a member. The statue was originally intended for the Piazza Ognissanti.

Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci, Florence