Loggia del Mercato Nuovo
On the way to the Ponte Vecchio: the church of Santo Stefano.
Continuing along Via Por Santa Maria after the church of Santo Stefano, you reach the Loggia del Mercato Nuovo.
Address: Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, at the corner of Via Calimala and Via Porta Rossa
Free access
It presents a square open on the 4 sides, with 20 columns of composite capitals.
It is overrun by souvenir sellers and tourists, but look for the Fountain of the Piglet, rub its snout, throw a coin, and thus you will be sure to return to Florence.
At the back you will find the Palazzo di Parte Guelfa – Palace of the Guelphs, supporters of the Pope opposed to the Ghibellines, supporters of the Emperor. Its present medieval appearance dates only from 1921.
See also: the church of Santo Stefano, a few meters from the Ponte Vecchio.