On November 4, 1966, one of the world’s greatest centers of Renaissance art became the scene of a catastrophic flood. Florence’s overflowing Arno River swept through centuries of history, threatening masterpieces that had survived wars and generations of upheaval.
The disaster devastated the city, but it also inspired an extraordinary international rescue operation that transformed how museums and conservators protect humanity’s artistic heritage.
Curious? Read on to discover how this disaster unfolded.