“THE CRIER” and the flood of Florence
Forty one years ago, on the 4th of November 1966, Florence was devastated by the most destructive flood of the river Arno.
It was a tragedy of gigantic proportions, the greatest tragedy in 600 years; the previous catastrophe caused by the Arno river took place in 1333; at that time most of the bridges crushed down under the violence of the water and hundreds of people died. In November 1966, the whole world followed Florence’s event with trepidation.
The city’s quarter of a million inhabitants worried about their homes, but most Florentines and many Florence lovers around the world were seriously concerned about the damage caused by the water to the works of art in the museums and in the libraries.
The heritage of centuries-old paintings and sculptures means everything to the people of Florence and to the art lovers of the world.
In effect, the tremendous amount of damage was caused not by just water, but by a black destructive mixture of water, mud and heating oil. A few days later at least 855 first ranking works of art were pulled out from the water and mud.
Among the masterpieces destroyed was the Crucifix of Cimabue, dating back to the 1200’s. Florence was truly “a disfigured city”.More than 18 churches had suffered from having altars, ornaments, frescos and floors damaged.
The damage to the National Library (located only 100’ from the river Arno) and its historic collections was immense. Many precious documents, manuscripts and historical archives totally destroyed.
Everybody was genuinely concerned about the art treasures of the city; everywhere people in love with Florence needed news of what was happening. When something drastic happens to one of our beloved ones, we need prompt information, we need to know how serious the situation is and what we can do to help.
At that time there were in Florence 120,000 tourists, visitors and residents, mostly English speaking, from several countries: they had the right to know what and why it had happened, where and when it all started and who was responsible for the catastrophe.
What, why, where, when and who, are the 5 “W”’s, the basic rules for journalism. One of the first newspapers to cover the whole story of the flood in English was “The Crier of Florence”. This remarkable newspaper came out with the most dramatic title “A WALL OF WATER DESTROYS FLORENCE”.
Elie Lattes, the author of the article and a personal friend of mine for many years, described in details the ravage left by the river Arno, that during the early hours of November 4th came roaring out of its bed and destroyed a large part of the city. She also described the shock and the agony of the Florentines that had never seen in their entire life their beautiful city so devastated, so wrecked.
Elie wrote: “The murky waters, traveling at a speed of 60 km per hour crumbled walls and gutted open homes, shops, offices, factories up to the third floor.
They invaded the sturdy Renaissance palaces and cathedrals, they stripped priceless masterpieces from galleries and churches. The narrow streets of Florence became rapids; whirlpools of water, mud and oil dragged cars, furniture, merchandise of all sorts toward the Tyrrhenian Sea.
People were trapped within their homes. There was no drinking water, no electricity, no gas, no telephone, Florence became a huge body of water surrounded by high hills, isolated from the world without any source of communication.”
In Via Ghibellina, where the house of my wife Joanne is located, my mother-in-law watched anxiously from the 4th floor windows the water rushing through the street carrying on its galloping waves cars, furniture, dead horses, uprooted trees and debris of all kind. The water reached an all high level of over 18 feet, as the mark left on the wall of the houses proved.
The monthly cultural newspaper “THE CRIER”, edited and directed by Niccolo’ Mattina, was at that time the most valuable media for all English speaking people in the city and abroad.
Amazingly enough, among the casualties of the calamity of the city was “The Crier” itself: the business and administrative offices of the newspaper located in Via Borgognissanti 4 were completely destroyed by the flood.
But the determined founders of “The Crier” refused to be defeated by the disaster: they worked by candle-light, composed the contents in their own flooded offices and sent text and photographs to be printed at “Il Resto del Carlino” in Bologna.
Thanks to a substantial group of young people, nicknamed “THE MUD’S ANGELS” that traveled to Florence from every corner of the world, several thousand pieces of art, books and manuscripts of incredible value, were saved and restored. (Please, refer to the article “FLORENCE AND THE MUD’S ANGELS” on
L’Italo-Americano’s issue of January 19, 2006, page 19).
How admirable it was of these young men and women that so spontaneously dedicated so much of their time to help a wounded city.They truly deserve the admiration of the world and to be called “Angels” and .
The newspaper “The Crier” was founded by a group of U.S. citizens residing in Florence. The most assiduous were Elie Lattes, L.A. Herbert (Elie’s brother) and of course its editor and director Nicolo’ Mattina.Unfortunately the newspaper lasted only two years and on August 1968 concluded its short but praiseworthy mission.
Tony Ghezzo
10631 Vinedale Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352 - Phone (818) 767-3413 - Fax: (818) 767-1410