Santa Croce is located close to the Arno river. The church was built on what was once a swamp. So, its proximity to the river and its low elevation relative to the river make it extremely vulnerable to flooding.
Over the centuries, the church has been flooded many times. The 1966 flood was especially devastating. Some objects were destroyed and others were badly damaged. Many of the masterpieces have been restored, but not all. One masterpiece, Vasari's Last Supper, was recently restored. It was unveiled to the public on the 50th anniversary of the 1966 flood.
How high did the 1966 flood waters reach at Santa Croce? Check out the photo below.
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| A list of floods in Florence stretching back more than 800 years. |
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| Photo of the cable for raising Vasari's restored Last Supper |
Next Up: Santa Croce and the Star of David
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