Tower of the Mannelli

The Tower of the Mannelli, located at the southeast corner of the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, is an extraordinary example of medieval architecture that combines history, art, and engineering. Built in the 13th century, the tower was part of a defensive system that included three other towers, one for each corner of the bridge. Of these four towers, the Tower of the Mannelli is the only one still standing, a testament to the prestige and resilience of the Mannelli family, originally from this neighborhood. The Mannelli family, of Ghibelline faith and descended from the Roman Manlii, were related to the Uberti, one of the most powerful Florentine families. After the defeat of the Ghibellines in the Battle of Benevento, the Mannelli were exiled but managed to return to Florence by changing their name to Pontigiani or Piazzigiani, depending on the sources, and swearing allegiance to the Guelphs. The tower was first mentioned as “nova” in a document from 1249, suggesting that it was recently built at the time. One of the most significant episodes in the history of the tower dates back to 1565, when Cosimo I de’ Medici ordered the construction of the Vasari Corridor, designed by Giorgio Vasari. This elevated passage was meant to connect Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti, passing over the Ponte Vecchio. However, the original project involved the demolition or resizing of the Tower of the Mannelli. The Mannelli family strongly opposed this, forcing Vasari to modify his plans and have the corridor pass around the tower through a cantilevered structure supported by stone corbels. This ingenious adaptation not only preserved the tower but also added a distinctive element to the corridor’s architecture. During World War II, the tower suffered significant damage due to mines placed by the retreating Germans in August 1944. Despite the damage, the structure remained standing and was restored in the following years by the architect Nello Baroni. Unfortunately, the adjacent building of the Mannelli, which included a loggia of the Canigiani family, was completely destroyed. The Tower of the Mannelli retains many of its original features, including the exposed stone filaretto cladding and the pontaie holes, used in the past to support wooden scaffolding during construction. The windows vary in shape and size, some rectangular and others with arches, adding visual charm to the structure. On the top floor, a panoramic room offers a breathtaking view of the Ponte Vecchio and the Arno River, representing a recent redevelopment intervention that has successfully combined modernity and tradition. The tower was also a symbolic place during the Italian Resistance. During the war, it was used as a headquarters by the Florentine partisans, including the father of the writer Oriana Fallaci. This connection to the partisan struggle adds an additional layer of historical significance to the structure.