To mark the 60th anniversary of the Florence Flood, CEDAF (Florence Floods Documentation Centre), in collaboration with the Humanities Library, presents the photography exhibition Con la bici nel fango. Fotografie inedite dell’alluvione dalla donazione Carlo Balleggi e altre testimonianze, running from 3 November to 31 December 2026.
The exhibition features previously unpublished photographic coverage captured in the immediate aftermath of 4 November 1966 by Carlo Balleggi, whose collection was donated to CEDAF in two instalments (2018 and 2026). Riding his bicycle toward the TWA offices in Piazza Santa Trinita, Balleggi crossed the historic city centre, documenting the devastating impact of the flood.
In addition to this core series of photographs, the exhibition displays 26 images by Giulio Polidori, donated to CEDAF through Balleggi, his neighbour, alongside contemporary testimonies and two artists' books created for the anniversary by students of the Fondazione Il Bisonte.
The Balleggi Collection has been digitized and is accessible via Impronte Digitali, the digital library of the University Library System.
- Admission: Free
- Opening ceremony: 3 November at 5:00 PM, Sala Comparetti
- Venue: Humanities Library, Piazza Brunelleschi 4, Florence
- Opening hours: During regular library opening hours