Florence inaugurates memorial park for victims of Genoa bridge disaster

Florence has inaugurated a new green memorial dedicated to the 43 victims of the collapse of the Ponte Morandi, one of the deadliest infrastructure disasters in recent Italian history. The “Bosco della Memoria” (Memory Grove) was opened on Monday morning in the Parco dell’Anconella, in the city’s south-east, with the participation of local authorities, associations and victims’ families.

The initiative places Florence within a broader national effort to preserve the memory of the tragedy, which struck Genova on 14 August 2018.

A living memorial in a public park

The memorial consists of 43 trees, one for each victim, donated by the Associazione Vivaisti Italiani. The trees — including oaks, cypresses, mulberries and magnolias — have been arranged in a semi-circle near the park’s amphitheatre, forming what organisers describe as a symbolic space of protection and collective remembrance.

A commemorative plaque bearing the names of the victims has also been installed. The site is intended not only as a place of reflection, but as an educational space where visitors can learn about the collapse and its aftermath.

Among those remembered is Alberto Fanfani, a Florence resident who died in the disaster.

From Genoa to Florence: a shared memory

The project draws inspiration from Genoa’s “Radura della Memoria”, a memorial created near the site of the collapse. Florence now joins other Italian municipalities, including Vicenza, Oleggio and Pinerolo, in a “Network of Memory” aimed at keeping public attention on the tragedy and the ongoing search for accountability.

The inauguration followed a motion approved by Florence’s City Council calling for the creation of a dedicated memorial space.

Mayor Sara Funaro said the initiative reflects a commitment to ensuring that such disasters are neither forgotten nor repeated, while Deputy Mayor Paola Galgani described the grove as a space that will grow alongside the community.

Schools and civic engagement

Students from the Milite Ignoto primary school took part in the ceremony, hanging written messages on the trees. The involvement of schoolchildren was encouraged by the City Council as a way to promote civic awareness and keep the memory of the event alive among younger generations.

Local district president Serena Perini highlighted the importance of hosting a memorial in the area, particularly given the local connection to one of the victims.

The Morandi Bridge collapse

The collapse of the Morandi Bridge — a major motorway viaduct linking parts of Genoa — occurred during a summer storm on 14 August 2018. A central section of the structure gave way, sending vehicles plunging dozens of metres to the ground below.

Forty-three people were killed, and hundreds were displaced as nearby buildings were evacuated. The disaster exposed longstanding concerns about infrastructure maintenance and oversight in Italy, prompting national debate and a complex legal process.

The ongoing trial

As of 2026, the trial related to the collapse has reached its final phase in Genoa. A total of 57 defendants — including former executives and technicians of Autostrade per l’Italia and its engineering subsidiary SPEA — are facing charges such as negligent disaster and multiple manslaughter.

According to prosecutors, the case centres on alleged failures in maintenance and safety checks on the bridge over several years. The proceedings are seen as a key step in determining responsibilities for the collapse and have remained a focal point for victims’ families seeking justice.

A space for remembrance and reflection

With the opening of the Bosco della Memoria, Florence adds a new public space dedicated to these themes. The project combines environmental regeneration with commemorative purpose, using the growth of trees as a long-term symbol of memory and responsibility.

As the grove develops over time, it is intended to remain both a local landmark and part of a wider national effort to preserve the memory of the victims and the lessons of the collapse.

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