The Drowned and the Saved”. Archives during the 1966 flood of Florence

In 1966 the flood of Florence was one of the most catastrophic events for Italian cultural heritage: the Arno River inundated the city, submerging everything under six meters in height. A great deal of the cultural properties—in our case archives and books—was buried by several cubic meters of torrential water, mud and substances that the river collected on its way. News of this event went around the world, prompting several people to offer their support to help the city and its cultural heritage. Such heroic volunteers are still remembered as the “mud angels.” This article aims not only to provide historical context for reference, but to also analyze the archival procedures that were put in place before, during, and after the disaster, aspects that today constitute an important area for the archives discipline, giving correct directions for the maintenance and administration of archival preservation buildings. For this reason, the example of two case studies (the State Archives of Florence and the Historical Archives of the University of Florence) will allow us to reflect on the preventive interven- tions adopted or to be adopted, the methods of recovery, and the procedures for the conservation of documentation. Looking at past experience will help build a stronger foundation for the future. Appropriate planning and prevention activities could constitute a new chapter in the relationship between people and the environment. Building on the examples of the past, it is desirable to reflect on the tenuous balance between geographical context and cultural preservation.