Florence adds removable flood barriers to protect its historic centre

Florence has completed a roughly €15 million programme of flood-defence works along the Arno, adding removable barriers to help protect its historic centre six decades after the 1966 flood.

The final element covers about 230 metres of Lungarno Acciaiuoli, the riverside stretch between the Ponte Vecchio and Santa Trinita bridges. The river narrows there, and riverside walls broke under the force of floodwater at that location in 1966.

Rather than remaining in place year-round, the modular panels will be fitted when a major flood threatens. That approach strengthens protection without permanently changing the appearance of the historic riverfront.

According to Tuscany’s regional government, forecasting systems can identify a significant Arno flood 24 to 36 hours ahead, while civil protection teams can assemble the temporary defences in less than eight hours. The protection therefore combines physical barriers with advance warning and emergency preparation.

The wider project, funded through Italy’s national recovery and resilience plan, also includes new embankments and permanent flood-containment structures. It is designed to reduce flood risk, not remove it altogether. Further protection is expected once upstream flood-storage areas at Figline, designed to hold excess river water, are completed.