Italy This Weekend: Uffizi Storm Aftermath and Venice Events

Florence: Uffizi after the storm

The storm hit Florence on the afternoon of Thursday, September 17, and dumped more than 45 millimeters of rain in a single hour, according to Wanted in Rome. The source describes it as a flash flood. Water leaked through a skylight at the Uffizi Gallery and dripped onto the glass case protecting Caravaggio's Bacchus. That case kept the painting dry. Museum officials say no artwork was damaged. The Uffizi is open as normal at the time of writing. If you are in Florence this week, book a timed entry on the official site. Walk-up queues in September often run past an hour. If the museum has to close, operators normally offer a refund or rebooking, but that depends on the case and is not legal advice. Check the Uffizi's official channels for updates.

Venice: weekend events

Venice and its mainland have a full schedule from September 18-20, according to VeneziaToday. Expect a bike ride, the Mirano fair, a wine festival, and several local sagre. These are popular with residents, so vaporetti and regional trains will be busier than usual. If you are heading to Venice, book train tickets in advance and avoid the midday rush on the Grand Canal. The events are spread across the historic city and the metropolitan area, so check locations before you set out.