FLORENCE-The famous Ponte Vecchio bridge in one of Italy’s most visited cities turned on its new eco-friendly lights on Monday night to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the city’s fashion centre.

 The new 'green' lighting system, which is said to have cost over 400 thousand euros, was a gift from Stefano Ricci fashion house to mark the special occasion and was turned on by Italian singer Andrea Bocelli.

 The eco-friendly lighting system consists of 102 LEDs inside the bridge and 16 LED-lit structures for the outer part. It is said that the system will reduce energy required to light the bridge by 79.33 percent, which will save the city council between 12 and 15 million euros a year.

 Before the Ponte Vecchio bridge was illuminated, Mr Bocelli pleased audiences with a piece from Giacomo Puccini’s Schicchi. Mr Bocelli’s performance was also complimented by the ‘Fous de Bassin’ spectacle by a French art troup, which took place on the Arno beneath the bridge.

 Other aspects of the evening included a floating Fiat 500 and an artist depicting Venus as shown in Sandro Batticelli’s painting, the Birth of Venus.

 Giancarlo Giannini, Italian actor, Mayor Dario Nardella and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi’s wife, Agnese, were among some of those who came to support the Pitti Uomo men’s fashion fair.

 The event is said to have been particularly special to Matteo Renzi, who is a Florence native and was mayor of Florence until he became Prime Minister in February.