The Making of a (Mud) Angel

The year was 1966. They were American college students about to embark on a completely new experience—studying abroad in Florence, Italy. Some had never been on a plane, and almost all had never been outside the country. They looked upon the program as an exciting adventure, never imagining what lay ahead.

Rain began and continued relentlessly for several days. The students huddled together, unaware of the damage that was being done just a few blocks from their dorms or hotels.  It wasn’t until the rain had somewhat subsided and they ventured toward the Arno River that they realized this was no ordinary rainstorm. The usually tranquil river that cut through the historic city of Florence had become a raging torrent, more like a river of rapids, rising quickly and carrying away anything in its path.

Directors of the museums could only stand by as the cultural heritage of Florence was being destroyed or severely damaged. The jewelers along the Ponte Vecchio watched helplessly as the water crashed over the bridge and poured through their shops. Anything in the path of the water and mud was swept away, buried, or ripped from its place.

When the students were finally able to see the full extent of the devastation, their reaction was immediate: they jumped into the mud that covered priceless works of art, books, and manuscripts - determined to salvage whatever they could.

There were no cell phones back then—so no selfies or TikTok videos, no way to instantly send photographs home. In any case, they weren’t thinking about documenting their experience. They were thinking about helping to save the world’s most precious works of art.

For these young Americans, their study-abroad adventure had suddenly become something far greater. They had arrived in Florence expecting to learn about its history and culture. Instead, they found themselves becoming part of its history.

On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Florence flood on November 4th, Splendor of Florence extends heartfelt thanks to the "Mud Angels” of 1966.