Figure 1.-- The historic Palazzo Pitti housed displaced Florentines (end of July and beginning of August 1944). German troops blew up the bridges over the Arno and ordered the evacuation of houses near the river. Refugee camps were set up in the rooms of the palace, which housed up to 4,600 people. Here we see the Mazzingutti family.

Florence is the largest city in Tuscany. It was a Roman city, but only to rise to prominence centuries after the the fall of Rome when Europe began to rise from the Dark Ages. Florence became a center of expanding medieval trade and finance, becoming one of the wealthiest medieval cities. It became a one of the great centers of the Italian Renaissance. Some academics argue that the Renaissance was born in Florence. It was one of several Italian city states. Its turbulent political history has been recorded in detail, including the reign of the Medici family as well as religious and republican revolutions. It was the art of Florence that was its major achievement. Florence came into focus in the final year of World War II. After the Allies liberated Rome (June 1944), the Germans retreated north to build their final defensive line. The Apennine Mountains run own he Spine of Italy, but as they approach the PO Valley the Appenines turn to the sea, making a perfect topographical site for a fortified line. This would be the last such topographical feature. After the Gothic Line no other geographic feature created a natural barrier until the Alps rise north of the Po Valley. Florence on the Arno River lies about 170 mile (275 km) north of Rome. Field Marshal Albert Kesselring had no intention of defending Florence. The Gothic Line's would be the last major German defensive line and built along the summits of the northern Apennines. Florence was, however, useful to slow the Allied advance, buying time to build their defenses. Tragically, one of the jewels of the Renaissance were the city's beautiful bridges over the Arno which Kesselring decided would slow the Allies. The Germans blew the bridges (August 3). German diplomat Gerhard Wolf managed to save the Ponte Vecchio. The Germans also ordered the evacuation of houses near the river. Palazzo Pitti on the south bank of the Arno housed displaced Florentines after the Germans blew the bridges. A refugee camp was set up in the rooms of the palace, which housed some 4,600 people.

Created: 3:47 PM 10/3/2025
Last updated: 3:47 PM 10/3/2025