The Florence Flood

At the Accademia di Europea di Firenze I have grammar class from 9am-10:30am and then conversation class from 11am-12:30pm. During the 30 minute break between classes I usually venture out with some classmates to the nearby bar for much needed cappuccino or espresso and sometimes a cornetto (croissaint). Today, we were heading towards Gilli to get our morning snack when we heard marching band music on the nearby Piazza della Republica.

Dozens of well-dressed (seriously, I wonder if they get their outfits from Gucci or Armani) Italian army officers were standing at attention while one shouted orders.

After returning to class I asked our conversation teacher (l'insegnante), Lucia about the scene. She said that on November 4, 1966 there was a great flood in Florence. The Arno River overflowed --- about 11 meters ---- killing many people, damaging the town center and flooding the surrounding fields for many days after.
The ceremony at the Piazza della Republica was done to mark the anniversary of the horrific flood of 1966.


Picture One, Two and Three by Jaya Bird: March on Piazza Republica in commemoration of the Florence Flood of 1966.