A review of the conference "Dopo la catastrofe. La storia dell’arte e il futuro della città" (After the catastrophe. Art History and the future of the city), held in Florence at the Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz-Max-Plank-Institut, regarding catastrophes (with a focus on natural disasters) and the phases of post catastrophe governance. The conference provided an important opportunity for interdisciplinary comparison among different professionalism. Established scholars and young researchers contributed with their experience from the fields of Art History and Architecture: art historians, architects, town planners, experts of photography, restoration, archaeology. A key-theme was the prevention of damage, the reconstruction and the protection of historical cities and cultural heritage after disasters, both fundamental in keeping parts of our history and identity intact. The papers and following discussions highlight on the critical elements and difficulties that arise during the work within the conservation processes of cultural heritage before and after catastrophic events. The earthquake of L’Aquila (April 2009) was key to this discussion, along with other international cases, offering a panorama of potential catastrophes and their impact on human environment.