Tips for navigating along the Arno River, learning about its history and having fun in the many clubs you can meet!
Il River Arno crosses the whole city of Florence, dividing it into a right bank and the Oltrarno (left bank); living by the river, however, is definitely not an experience that everyone has. Instead I want to offer you some ideas for a different visit, starting from the river.
So here are three tips to better enjoy the Arno River.
1. The Barchetti
Navigation on the Arno is complicated: there are weirs, artificial steps that serve to increase the strength and flow of the river but in fact prevent you from navigating the entire length of the watercourse. In the city, navigation is only possible in parts: and that's what i do Renaioli, an association that during the summer offers trips to the traditional "barchetti" in the most central part of the Arno.
Barchetti are simple wooden boats, can accommodate up to 16/18 people: they were the boats of the renaioli, those who dredged the sand. Navigation is by rod, not by oar: a long wooden stick is plunged to the bottom of the river, which as we understand is not very deep, in a stretch between Mentana square (Ponte alle Grazie) e Ponte Santa Trinita.
It is cool on the river, even in the hot Florentine summers: a cool breeze always blows, especially in the evening hours. On the river the noises of the city are forgotten, to give way to the croaking of frogs and the elegant demeanor of some herons, or the chirping of seagulls.
2. Go through history
In addition to passing under the famous Old Bridge you can see the famous buildings of the historic center from a totally new perspective: the Uffizi, Vasarian Corridor, the jewelers' shops on the oldest bridge in the city, whose old stones form our "roof" for a few minutes. And then there Church of San Jacopo Soprarno, the magnificent Palazzo Corsini, the restaurants with a veranda overlooking the river, built after the war in place of the ancient houses that the Nazis sacrificed to save Ponte Vecchio.
As you know, in fact, the other three bridges in the city (alle Grazie, alla Carraia and Santa Trinita) were mined and blown up to prevent the Allies from reaching the city.
An emotion is also to pass under Ponte Santa Trinita, rebuilt "as it was and where it was" with elegant lines and decorated with statues. For example, we discover a sculpted ram's head, which adorns the highest point of the bridge both upstream and downstream. This head is not seen when passing over the bridge. One wonders: why decorate bridges from below? The answer is because in the past there was life on the river, people worked, sailed much more than now.
All this is told either by Renaiolo who ferries you, or by any guide who organized the tour.
The navigation takes about 1 hour and costs between 20 and 25 euros each.
3. Premises on the river
After this historical and artistic experience you can dedicate yourself to experiencing the river in a more contemporary way: for example by choosing one of the clubs that open right on both banks in summer. Original beach by day - with umbrellas and deck chairs, but without the possibility of bathing - the beach on the Arno the night turns into an open-air disco; is located at the height of Marasco Terrace (we are on the left bank); you can also play sports and rent SUP.
At street level, in the same position as the beach, there is the Easy Living kiosk: live music, bar, a very popular place for aperitifs.
If, on the other hand, we move further north and on the right bank, we find a series of interesting places to drink, eat and listen to music, all on the banks of the Arno. The choice is wide: La Toraia, Molo Firenze, Wood Music Garden. The food is in the street food version, you buy from kiosks or stalls, you eat where you find a place among various tables, sofas or, ultimately, sitting on the grass. A formula that works from May to October, thanks to the good weather. Mainly open for dinner, these places also offer spectacular sunsets.
So, are you ready to enjoy our river?
Some informations: I renaioli Association http://www.renaioli.it/
The beach - Piazza Poggi
The Toraia - Lungarno del Tempio 3460
Florence pier - Lungarno Colombo
Wood Music Garden - Lungarno Colombo
