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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Angela Giuffrida in Rome

Ancient books in northern Italy frozen to salvage them from flood damage

Person wearing gloves opening up an ancient book covered in mud
The devastating floods in Emilia-Romagna submerged precious books and manuscripts in mud and water. Photograph: Serrano/AGF/Shutterstock

Ancient books and manuscripts, some dating back to the 16th century, that have been affected by devastating floods in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna are being stored in freezers in an effort to salvage them.

Volunteers have been transporting the books and other precious documents, which became submerged in water and mud in flooded libraries in the worst-affected areas, to Cesena, where the items will be placed on shelves in temperatures of -25C in industrial-size freezers provided by Orogel, a company that specialises in frozen food.

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