The Accademia’s Air Conditioning Crisis

This past week the Accademia’s air conditioning system broke down, and according to museum director Cecilie Hollberg, it not be fixed before Thursday, June 22.  A tour guide has fainted, and the gallery’s personnel and visitors — but not, again according to the director, its iconic artworks including Michelangelo’s David — have been suffering from torrid temperatures on the ground floor.

Over 40 years old and in need of replacement, the air conditioning units were completely turned off so repairs — parts still need to be ordered — could be effected.  Hollberg has gone on record stating that the Accademia cannot afford to purchase fans or portable air conditioners.

To read more in Italian, visit Florence’s La Repubblica news site.