UNESCO and the Giorgio Cini Foundation have announced a collaborative project to digitize the historical archives documenting the 1966 “Aqua Granda” flood in Venice. The initiative aims to preserve and provide public access to extensive records of the historic event.
The Archive Scope
The collection slated for digitization includes 110,000 documents and 6,000 photographs. These materials provide a comprehensive record of the catastrophic flooding that submerged the city of Venice in November 1966, causing significant structural and cultural damage.
Preservation and Access
The project focuses on creating a digital database of these primary sources, ensuring the long-term preservation of fragile documents. By converting the physical records into a digital format, the foundation intends to make this historical data accessible to researchers and the public, safeguarding the memory of the disaster for future generations.
Current Status
The project is now underway, with the digitization process beginning as part of the joint effort between the international cultural body and the Venetian research institution. This work represents a significant step in documenting urban resilience and environmental history.
Why it matters: The 1966 flood remains a defining moment in Venice’s modern history, serving as a critical case study for climate risk and heritage preservation. For regions facing rising sea levels and recurring environmental threats, the digitization of such archives provides essential data for disaster management and historical research.
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