RESTAURO 2026 in Ferrara: innovation, construction sites and new challenges for preservation

From May 12 to 14, 2026, Ferrara returns to be a reference point for the sector of conservation and protection of cultural heritage with the 31st edition of RESTAURO - International Exhibition of Cultural and Environmental Heritage. The event, hosted in the spaces of Ferrara Expo, presents itself with a renewed layout, both in the distribution of exhibition spaces and in the articulation of the program, confirming its function as a platform for comparison between institutions, businesses, professionals and the world of education.

“RESTAURO,” says Andrea Moretti, president of Ferrara Expo, “establishes itself, also in this edition, as a dynamic space for comparison and updating, where tradition and innovation meet to boost new approaches to the protection and enhancement of historical, artistic and environmental heritage. The event has always represented a meeting point between different skills, experiences and visions, capable of bringing the world of research into dialogue with that of business. Ferrara Expo will welcome professionals, institutions, companies and experts ready to share projects, technologies and best practices, helping to strengthen a network of knowledge that is increasingly strategic to face the challenges of the sector and build new perspectives for the conservation and enhancement of heritage.”

The 2026 edition introduces a major organizational novelty: running from Tuesday to Thursday, with an anticipated schedule that redefines the pace of the event. For three days, the fairgrounds will be configured as an articulated environment of meetings, workshops, demonstrations and networking moments, with the aim of fostering dialogue between the different players in the supply chain. The exhibition aims to be a strategic hub capable of intercepting the transformations taking place in the sector, with particular attention to the themes of technological innovation, sustainability and safety on construction sites.

Among the distinguishing elements of the edition is Hall 3, which hosts Saper fare Italiano, a space dedicated to national craftsmanship excellence. The area connects tradition and innovation through workshops and practical demonstrations, offering the opportunity to closely observe working techniques and production processes related to restoration. The exhibition aims to highlight the role of manual skills and craftsmanship in the contemporary context, emphasizing the contribution of Made in Italy in heritage conservation. Specific attention is given to the application ofartificial intelligence in restoration, as well as to the issues of safety and sustainability of construction sites. The event also consolidates its cultural dimension through a conference calendar that exceeds 100 appointments.

Among them, the Ministry of Culture participates with a large space in Hall 4, conceived as a place to present experiences, projects and good practices developed at the central and territorial levels. In collaboration between the Department for the Enhancement of Cultural Heritage and the Department for Protection, the ministerial space hosts moments of discussion on strategic issues such as digitization, accessibility, training, interventions financed by the PNRR and safety at construction sites open to the public.

The international dimension of the Salone is strengthened by the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ICE Agency, which facilitate the participation of foreign delegations. The 2026 edition expects the presence of fifty delegates from more than fifteen countries, confirming the event as a place of exchange between different experiences and operating models.

Assorestauro, a longstanding partner, is organizing an area in Hall 4 dedicated to member companies, with the presentation of innovative projects and technologies. The program includes visits to construction sites with international delegations, meetings on cooperation and updates on reconstruction interventions in Emilia-Romagna, helping to outline an updated picture of ongoing activities in the sector. Also continuing is the collaboration with Intesa Sanpaolo, which on May 13 is promoting a conference dedicated to the Restituzioni project, launched in 1989 to support the recovery of Italy’s cultural heritage. The meeting focuses on the methodologies and critical issues of restoration interventions, highlighting the interdisciplinary dimension that characterizes these processes.

An important role is played by Formedil - the single national body for training and safety in construction, which presents a space dedicated to training and demonstration of restoration techniques. Activities include work on decorated surfaces, stucco, wood and mosaic, flanked by the use of advanced surveying tools such as laser scanners. The program also includes meetings on the maintenance of historic buildings, interactive activities and initiatives aimed at students, with the goal of promoting a culture of safety and professional updating. Alongside these realities, the show benefits from the contribution of industry associations such as ISI, AIDI, APIL, CODIS and IBIMI, which participate in the debate with specific expertise, reinforcing the role of the event as a platform for discussion.

The cultural program opens on May 12 with the Stati Generali del Restauro (General States of Restoration), a traditional inaugural event dedicated to discussion among experts and operators. The theme chosen for 2026 concerns large construction sites in contemporary restoration, with a reflection on the theoretical and operational implications of large-scale interventions, also made possible by recent extraordinary funding. In the afternoon, a day of studies explores the restoration of Ferrara Cathedral, involving local authorities, universities and designers involved in the conservation process.

TheUniversity of Ferrara participates with a series of thematic exhibitions presenting the results of research activities. Among them, Drawing as Knowledge - A Legacy of Indian Building Traditions displays a collection of drawings of Rajasthan forts, documented through extensive survey and analysis work. The Army General Staff is present with a booth dedicated to the enhancement of military museum heritage. The exhibition includes four historical vehicles from the 20th century and a publishing area, as well as seminars on topics such as the protection of cultural property in armed conflicts and the recovery of historical and artistic works.

The L’Immagine Ritrovata workshop, sponsored by the Fondazione Cineteca di Bologna, offers an in-depth look at film restoration, with the presentation of technologies and processes related to the digitization and preservation of audiovisual heritage. A specific meeting illustrates the characteristics of restoration applied to different formats, also offering an opportunity to present the Renato Zangheri Center. At the territorial level, the Aosta Valley participates with a space dedicated to the enhancement of its cultural heritage, illustrating recent interventions such as the restoration of the Augustus Arch in Aosta and the restoration of the facades of the Issogne Castle. At the same time, FAI presents the restoration of the Quadreria del Salone dei Savoia in Masino Castle, a six-year intervention involving more than ninety portraits, also documented through an audiovisual project.

The National Council of Engineers contributes to the program with meetings dedicated to risk prevention, safety and conservation of the built heritage. The seminars address topics such as seismic risk reduction, safety techniques and conditions of vulnerability of monumental complexes, highlighting the role of engineering in the interdisciplinary context of restoration. Supporting programming are the Technical Scientific Committee, established in 2021 and chaired by Alessandro Ippoliti, and theAdvisory Board, active since 2023. The two bodies contribute to defining the content and identifying priority themes, as well as promoting the international dimension of the event. For the 2026 edition, a Lifetime Achievement Award is also introduced for personalities who have distinguished themselves in the development of restoration studies and the enhancement of architectural heritage.

RESTAURO 2026 in Ferrara: innovation, construction sites and new challenges for preservation

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