“No bags for sale on Ponte Vecchio in Florence”. Graziella Braccialini stopped by the TAR

In recent days, the TAR, the Regional Administrative Court of Tuscany, rejected the appeal brought by Graziella Braccialini against the provision of the Municipality of Florence, which prohibits the sale of “fine handcrafted bags embellished with jewels” in Ponte Vecchio. In this area, important as a UNESCO site, the Florentine municipal regulation, in article 8, paragraph 1, allows the sale of “precious objects”, meaning “jewels and goldsmith’s articles linked by centuries-old tradition to the Ponte Vecchio”. The administrative judges, as reported FirenzeTodayhave ruled out that “jewel bags” are comparable to objects whose sale is permitted.

Graziella Braccialini’s battle

The battle had begun with the landing of Graziella Braccialini on Ponte Vecchio and the consequent sale of bags. Braccialini, a historic fashion brand specializing in bags, had been taken over by the Arezzo goldsmith company Graziella a few years earlier. And in 2022 the opening of a store on Ponte Vecchio took place. In this place, however, by tradition (and by Florentine municipal regulation) there is no space for leather items, although these are prized “jewel bags” like those by Braccialini. The battle between Graziella Braccialini and the other traders on the bridge had escalated a year ago, with the announcement of the Arezzo company to turn to the Regional Administrative Court on the issue. And now the Regional Court has expressed its opinion.

Confcommercio’s comment

“A perhaps obvious outcome, given the facts, but of extraordinary political significance – underlines the general director of Confcommercio Toscana Franco Marinoni – Ponte Vecchio and its commercial specificity represent a heritage to be defended and protected. Also respecting a vocation and exclusivity that cannot be questioned. If bags and clothing accessories like those offered by Braccialini had been on sale in the most iconic place in Florence, many other local and non-local brands would certainly have done so sooner. The commitment of the entire community is to respect the rules that it has set itself. And anyone who comes into this community from the outside is welcome if they respect these same rules like everyone else.”