Mark your calendars for the Splendor of Florence's Sott'Acqua Festival: A Tale of Two Cities Underwater, Nov. 9–17. Presented in collaboration with the Downtown Providence Park Network, the festival tells the powerful stories of Florence and Providence — two historic cities rebuilt after devastating floods — through a rich lineup of music, culinary arts, photo exhibitions, interactive tours and educational programs throughout Providence. At its heart, the festival honors the enduring spirit of these cities while addressing the pressing realities of climate change.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind festival that blends art, culture, education and science to celebrate 25 years of friendship and inspire a more resilient future. And while here, enjoy some Tuscan-inspired specials at select Providence restaurants

Schedule of Events


The Art of Florentine Paper: A Workshop by Maria Giannini
Nov. 9–16

Location: Tilden Thurber Building, 292 Westminster Street, Providence
This workshop by Maria Giannini, a sixth generation Florentine artisan in the Giulio Giannini family, renowned for their excellence in restoration, will give visitors the opportunity to learn the techniques of marbling paper and book fabrication. Register here.

Two Cities Underwater Photo Exhibit
Nov. 9–17

Location: Pavilion at Grace Church, 300 Westminster Street, Providence
The Pavilion at Grace Church will exhibit iconic photographs taken by photographer David Lees, documenting the 1966 flood in Florence and Providence Journal photos of downtown Providence after Hurricane Carol in 1954. See here for times.

Save the Bay: Touch Tank
Nov. 9 & 11, 11 a.m.

Location: Pavilion at Grace Church (Courtyard), 300 Westminster Street, Providence
Interact with animals from Narragansett Bay including horseshoe crabs, periwinkle snails and more.

Climate Ready Providence
Nov. 9 & 11, 4–6 p.m.

Location: Pavilion at Grace Church, 300 Westminster Street, Providence
Providence Resilience Partnership's Executive Director, Michele Jalbert, will host an open discussion about the organization's work to build "Climate Ready Providence" and provide information about resources and community-based involvement.

A Tuscan Trattoria
Nov. 12
–16, 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Hope & Main Downtown Makers Marketplace, 100 Westminster Street, Providence 
Hope & Main Downtown Makers Marketplace will become a trattoria, serving typical Tuscan dishes in a menu created by Hope & Main graduate and local chef Erika Zanobini of Bottega Bocconi.

Save the Bay: Activities for Students
Nov. 12–15, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Location: Pavilion at Grace Church, 300 Westminster Street, Providence
The Bay Experience teaches students about the anatomy and adaptations of Bay creatures through observation of live animals.

Franco Zeffirelli's "Per Firenze" Film Screening
Nov. 13, 7 p.m.

Location: Perry and Marty Granoff Center for the Creative Arts, 154 Angell Street, Providence
Brown University's Department of Italian Studies and Office of Global Engagement present the screening followed by a moderated question and answer session. Click here for details and registration info.

A Taste of Tuscany
Nov. 14, 5–7 p.m.

Location: Hope & Main Downtown Makers Marketplace, 100 Westminster Street, Providence
Hope & Main Downtown Makers Marketplace will host an indulgent evening featuring Tuscan olive oils, wines and cheeses. The curated event will feature hand-selected products imported specifically for this tasting. Click here for tickets.

Panel Discussion: Climate Science and Climate Action in the Aftermath of Two Natural Disasters
Nov. 14, 7 p.m.

Location: Perry and Marty Granoff Center for the Creative Arts, 154 Angell Street, Providence
As a follow up to the "Per Firenze" screening, the panel of scholars and community representatives from Florence and Providence will focus on addressing climate change through linking global perspectives about flood vulnerability, infrastructure preservation, education and more. Find registration info here.

Up Close with Artemisia – Conserving a 17th Century Masterpiece
Nov. 15, 12–1 p.m.

Location: RISD's Metcalf Auditorium, Chace Center, 20 N. Main Street, Providence
Elizabeth Wicks, painting conservator, discusses the methodology and technology behind her recent restoration work on Artemisia Gentileschi's the "Allegory of Inclination" painting. Register here.

Renaissance Painting Techniques
Nov. 15, 1–3 p.m.

Location: Museum Galleries, RISD, 20 N. Main Street, Providence
Artist and RISD professor Bill Drew will present an overview of Renaissance painting materials and techniques. Demonstrations will include pure egg yolk tempura, egg-oil emulsion and more. Register here.

Boats on the Bay
Nov. 16

Location: Save The Bay Center, 100 Save the Bay Drive, Providence
Boat tours designed to introduce visitors to a working port and see how the natural history and shaping of Narragansett Bay influenced human history along the coastline. See here for times and registration info.

The Italian Opera Master Class
Nov. 16, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Location: Music Mansion, 88 Meeting Street, Providence
Maestro Matteo Pais of the Academy of Maggio Musicale Fiorentino will present a master class focusing on arias from the Italian operatic repertoire, with an emphasis on pronunciation, phrasing, style and more. Details and registration info here.

The Splendor of Italian Opera
Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Location: Grace Episcopal Church, 300 Westminster Street, Providence
Singers from the Academy of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra present a concert featuring opera favorites by Verdi, Puccini, Rossini and more at Grace Church. Register here.

Artemisia: Conserving a 17th Century Masterpiece
Nov. 17, 1–4 p.m.

Location: Providence Art Club, 11 Thomas Street, Providence 
Elizabeth Wicks, painting conservator, discusses the methodology and technology behind her recent restoration work on Artemisia Gentileschi's the "Allegory of Inclination" painting. This will be followed by a demonstration of Renaissance painting techniques by Professor Bill Drew. Register here.

Event information is subject to change. For a full listing of events, times and locations, visit the Splendor of Florence website.