The house of Piero Bargellini, a key figure during ‘l’alluvione di Firenze 1966’

The house of Piero Bargellini, a key figure during ‘l’alluvione di Firenze 1966’

PHOTOS & SPANISH VERSION BELOW

The Arno River severely overflowed on November 4, 1966, provoking what is commonly known as ‘l’alluvione di Firenze.’ The city of Florence and part of Tuscany were inundated by the floods, causing an impact affecting the economic and cultural environment of Florence. Fortunately, as November 4 was a bank holiday, many businesses were closed, and a large part of the population was at home, thus avoiding an even bigger disaster. Nevertheless, 101 people died, 5,000 families lost their homes, and 6,000 businesses had to close. The deluge also destroyed and/or damaged countless works of art, prominent buildings and books. The damages could be repaired thanks to the efforts of Italian citizens, international committees and foreign donors. Piero Bargellini (1897-1980), writer, historian, politician and intellectual, was the mayor of Florence in that awkward moment.

Bargellini bought the 16th century Palazzo Da Cepparello in 1946. His studio, conformed by two spacious rooms, whose walls display six frescoes dated in the 14th century, is the footprint and the cultural legacy of this professional, humanist, charismatic character, and political leader, very dear to the Florentines. Three pianos, part of the writer’s library, photographs connected to the ‘alluvione,’ letters sent by the citizens during his political mandate and various domestic and personal items keep alive the essence that summarizes both, his professional career and intellectual passions as well as his private and family life.

Gregorio Nardi, Bargellini’s grandson and remarkable pianist, and his wife Annegret welcome me in the studio to explain with sincere devotion and extreme delicacy the objects arranged in every room: books, letters, personal items, pictures showing Bargellini with American politicians and celebrities … During our conversation, political episodes and Bargellini family´s secret and daily anecdotes emerge.

Firsthand they tell me how was Piero Bargellini, a simple, humble and sensitive person, both in his political role and in his privacy. ‘It is important to know what happened during ‘l’alluvione’ to learn more about the contemporary history of Florence, for which Bargellini was certainly an essential figure,’ says Annegret just before saying goodbye. I leave the place with the feeling of having experienced a unique encounter.

People can discover one of Florence´s recent history key figures via this catastrophic event by visiting Piero Bargellini house, which is nowadays open to the public upon request (+39 055 241724).


La casa de Piero Bargellini, figura clave durante “l’alluvione di Firenze” de 1966

El 4 de noviembre de 1966, el río Arno se desbordó provocando «l’alluvione di Firenze». La inundación anegó la ciudad y gran parte de la Toscana, causando un impacto duradero en el ámbito económico y cultural de Florencia. Gracias a que el 4 de noviembre era un día festivo, muchos negocios estaban cerrados y gran parte de la población se encontraba en casa, con lo que se evitó una catástrofe aún mayor. De todos modos, 101 personas murieron, 5000 familias perdieron sus viviendas y 6000 negocios tuvieron que cerrar. La inundación también destruyó o dañó infinidad de obras de arte, importantes edificios y libros.

Los daños pudieron ser reparados gracias al esfuerzo de ciudadanos italianos, comités y donantes extranjeros. En la actualidad, la casa de Piero Bargellini (1897-1980), escritor, historiador, político, intelectual y alcalde de Florencia en aquel difícil y aciago momento, se puede visitar y apreciar de cerca una de las figuras clave en la historia reciente de Florencia a través de uno de sus acontecimientos más nefastos.

Piero Bargellini compró el Palazzo Da Cepparello (del Cinquecento) en 1946. Las dos amplias estancias de su estudio, de cuyas paredes cuelgan seis frescos del Trescento, albergan en realidad la huella y el legado cultural, profesional y humanitario de este gran líder político y personaje carismático muy querido por los florentinos. Tres pianos, parte de la biblioteca del escritor, fotografías vinculadas al alluvione, cartas enviadas por los ciudadanos durante su mandato político y diversos objetos domésticos y personales mantienen viva la esencia que resume tanto su trayectoria profesional como sus aficiones personales, intelectuales y vínculos familiares.

Gregorio Nardi, nieto de Bargellini y notable pianista, y su mujer Annegret me reciben en el estudio. Me muestran y explican con desmedida atención, verdadera devoción y extremada delicadeza todo cuanto compone la estancia: los libros, las cartas, los objetos personales de la familia, las fotos con políticos y celebridades estadounidenses de la época… Me cuentan tanto episodios políticos del momento como anécdotas personales y cotidianas de la familia Bargellini; cómo era Piero Bargellini, en realidad, una persona sencilla, humilde y sensible tanto en su labor política como en su vida privada.

«Es importante saber lo que aconteció durante l’alluvione de 1966 para conocer mejor la historia de esta ciudad, en la que Bargellini fue sin duda una figura elemental», me comenta Annegret antes de despedirnos. Y me marcho con la sensación de haber vivido una experiencia única.
Casa Bargellini – Via delle Pinzochere 3 – Para concertar una visita es necesario llamar al +39 055 241724

Author Gravater

Paco Neumann

Paco Neumann is a journalist, photographer, proofreader, flâneur and perpetual amateur currently living in between Florence, Berlin, Paris and Tenerife. He´s been a regular contributor to fashion, art, trend and lifestyle magazines and worked for news, advertising and communication agencies

Related Post

Leave a comment