If you are traveling to Florence, Italy this year, it may be good to know that they are marking the 40th anniversary of the devastating 1966 floods. During and after the flood, many heroic individuals affectionately named "mud angels" saved irreplaceable works of art and literature. Well known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, the floods occurred on November 3, 1966. Many young volunteers from all over Europe salvaged important works of art during that time and helped the city bounce back. To celebrate their incredible efforts and mark the anniversary of the flood, many events are being planned, including a memorial mass at Florence's Duomo and an exhibit at Palazzo Vecchio featuring photos of the damage and recovery efforts.

Over 900 objects of irreplaceable art suffered as casualties during the flood. One of the most important pieces was Cimabue's 13th century Crucifix ion. It was housed in the Santa Croce museum, where waters rose more than 14 feet. The paint on the piece was completely gone, leaving it only as a relic. At the time, people were saying that it was the work that opened the way for Giotto.

Florence now has in place a series of dams which protects it from any future flooding risk.