Ponte alla Carraia is one of Florence's six Arno crossings, the second bridge upstream from Ponte Vecchio. The present structure dates from 1948, reconstructed after German forces destroyed the bridge in August 1944, but the crossing itself is ancient — a bridge here is recorded from the 13th century. The name derives from the carts (carra) that used it to bring wool and other goods to the Oltrarno workshops.
The bridge has no shops or stalls (unlike the Vecchio), which makes it a quieter option for crossing the river and a better platform for views. In the evening, when the light falls obliquely across the Arno, the view from the Carraia toward Ponte Vecchio and the hills beyond is one of the best in Florence. The bridge also connects the Borgo Ognissanti area on the north bank with the Borgo San Frediano on the south — a useful pedestrian link between two of Florence's less-visited but more characterful streets.