From November 4 to 22 in the Sala d’Arme, an exhibition retracing the days of the emergency and the months of reconstruction following the 1966 Florence flood.
The exhibition explores the story of the extraordinary wave of solidarity that emerged around Florence in the aftermath of the 1966 flood, through documents, letters, photographs and personal testimonies that retrace the city's response and the international community's remarkable mobilisation.
The exhibition highlights the role played by Mayor Piero Bargellini and the city administration in coordinating rescue efforts, managing the emergency and providing assistance to the population. Special attention is given to the support that poured in from all over the world: from donations made by ordinary citizens and children to charitable initiatives, as well as contributions from institutions, associations and artists.
A special focus is devoted to the Mud Angels (Angeli del Fango), the young Italian and international volunteers who worked tirelessly to clear homes, libraries, workshops and works of art of mud and debris, making a tangible contribution to Florence's recovery.
Through these testimonies, the exhibition celebrates the values of solidarity, civic engagement and international cooperation, showing how, in the face of tragedy, an extraordinary network of human and cultural support came together to save the city and its priceless heritage.
The exhibition combines multimedia installations, including an immersive video, with archival documents from the City of Florence to explore the role of Piero Bargellini, the “Mayor of the Flood”, the extraordinary relief effort and the unforgettable contribution of the “Mud Angels”.
