A hike on the Arno River with the Renaioli

To contemplate Florence from an original point of view. 

For the past few years, the “Renaioli” has been sailing again on the Arno River using their traditional “pole,” a pole similar to those used by fishermen in lagoons. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the warm light of the setting sun illuminates the bridges and facades of the Florentine palaces with ochre colors. Our itinerary will allow you to enjoy the city from an original and unique point of view: the magic of Florence as seen from the water, and learn more about the ancient craft of “Renaioli”.

Bridges of Florence

The excursion begins at the height of the dam that lies below the “Ponte alle Grazie.” The “renaiolo” warmly welcomes us to his boat. Walking first along the loggia of the famous Uffizi Museum, the “Ponte Vecchio” is revealed before us. Going under the arches of the bridge, we discover the “underneath” of the little houses of the historic bridge. It is the only bridge in Florence spared from the German bombings in 1944. The walk then continues in the direction of the “Ponte Santa Trinita,” of which we will admire, from a completely different point of view, the rams of the central arch, and the statues of the Four Seasons at the ends. On the quayside, the palaces of the great historic families (Corsini, Frescobaldi, Capponi, etc.) will allow us to discuss what these families have become in Florentine life today. Further on, the more modern-shaped “Ponte alla Carraia” and the “Ponte alla Vittoria.” On the way back San Jacopo Sopr’Arno, the church that dips its feet into the Arno River.

The craft of “Renaioli”

Renaioli is laborers who work in hourglasses (classidre?) (arena means sand) or rather, the descendants of the famous river sand gatherers, with whom the palaces of Florence were built for centuries. They fought over the sand that could hold the precious scraps from the workshops of the goldsmiths of the “Ponte Vecchio”! These poor, hard-working people were not the only ones who sailed on the Arno. Until World War II, barges carrying goods or floating shows, as well as pleasure boats, were still seen passing through it. 

But the renaioli were the last to cross the river until the 1966 flood.