Villa Bardini hosts historic Florence photo show

A new exhibition opening in Florence on 7 May will explore the city’s history from the 1950s to the 1970s through images drawn from the Foto Locchi archive, one of Tuscany’s best-known collections of photojournalism. The show, titled Florence ’50 ’60 ’70. Images from the Foto Locchi Archive, will run at Villa Bardini until 18 October 2026. 

150 selected photographs

The exhibition brings together 150 photographs selected from a wider archive that now contains more than five million images, including material acquired from other historic photographic collections. Organisers describe the project as a visual account of Florence during three decades marked by reconstruction, economic growth, social change and cultural transformation. 

The 1950s section presents Florence as an increasingly international and optimistic city, shaped by post-war recovery and growing interest from foreign visitors, artists and celebrities. The 1960s focus on more turbulent years, including the devastating flood of November 1966 and the rise of student protests and social movements. The 1970s portray a more reflective city, facing new urban and cultural challenges. 

The history of Foto Locchi

Founded in 1924 by photographer Tullio Locchi, Foto Locchi became Florence’s main photographic agency during the post-war decades. Its photographers documented political events, everyday life, fashion, sport, theatre and major public occasions, producing many of the images that later became part of the city’s collective memory.

For decades, selected photographs were displayed in the agency’s public boards in Piazza della Repubblica, where Florentines gathered to follow the visual chronicle of the city. 

The 10 thematic section of the exhibition

The exhibition is divided into ten thematic sections. Alongside images linked to major historical events, visitors will find scenes of ordinary life, including summer bathing in the Arno, Sunday football matches, picnics outside the city and the arrival of Florence’s first supermarkets. Other sections focus on theatre, art, music and fashion, including the rise of Italian haute couture presentations in the Sala Bianca at Palazzo Pitti. 

Sport also plays a significant role in the exhibition. One room is dedicated to ACF Fiorentina, retracing the club’s first Serie A title in 1955-56, the 1960-61 European Cup Winners’ Cup victory and the arrival of Giancarlo Antognoni in the early 1970s. Other photographs document figures such as cyclist Gino Bartali and racing driver Tazio Nuvolari. 

The exhibition is promoted by Fondazione CR Firenze and Archivio Foto Locchi, curated by Giovanna Uzzani, and organised in collaboration with the National Central Library of Florence. It has received the patronage of the Municipality of Florence. 

Practical information

The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 7.30 p.m., with last admission at 6.30 p.m. Special openings are scheduled on 1, 2 and 24 June and on 15 August. On Thursdays until 3 September, Villa Bardini and the exhibition will remain open until 9 p.m. 

Tickets cost €10 full price and €5 reduced. Admission is free for children under six, disabled visitors and companions, accredited journalists, licensed tour guides and Firenze Card holders. Guided tours in Italian are scheduled on weekends.

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