International Restoration Fair Ferrara
The leading international fair for cultural and environmental heritage, in Ferrara since 1991
About Restoration
The International Restoration Fair in Ferrara
The International Restoration Fair has been the benchmark event in Italy and abroad for the world of conservation, restoration, and enhancement of cultural and environmental heritage since 1991. Every spring, the Ferrara Expo exhibition centre, in the Municipality of Ferrara (Emilia-Romagna), transforms into a major hub where specialised companies, public institutions, superintendencies, museums, universities, and research centres from all over the world meet.
A Packed Programme of Conferences and Workshops
The heart of the Fair is its scientific programme: over a hundred events including conferences, study days, round tables, seminars, and workshops, alongside exhibition stands and displays set up in the pavilions. The topics covered range from major Italian restoration projects to the new frontiers of diagnostics, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence, site sustainability, and workplace safety.
Institutions in the Spotlight
The Ministry of Culture traditionally has a large exhibition space and an extensive calendar of initiatives curated by its institutes, museums, and superintendencies. Alongside the MiC, trade associations such as Assorestauro, a historical partner of the event, participate, along with numerous players from the construction and technology sectors. Thanks to the support of the ICE Agency, each edition hosts qualified foreign delegations, making the Fair a true international networking platform.
Tradition and Innovation
A section dedicated to Italian artistic craftsmanship highlights traditional techniques, manual skills, and the creativity of artisan trades, in dialogue with the most advanced technologies applied to conservation. From hard stones to film restoration, from archaeology to monumental construction sites, the Fair showcases the richness and complexity of cultural heritage, placing Ferrara at the centre of the European debate on the protection and transmission of memory.
Why Visit
Designed for industry professionals but open to students, enthusiasts, and the general public, the Restoration Fair is an opportunity to discover firsthand how our country's artistic and environmental treasures are conserved and enhanced. Admission is free upon registration, and the Este city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offers an ideal setting to complement your visit with an itinerary through its Renaissance monuments.
Restoration — edition 2026
Restoration 2026: The 31st Edition
From May 12 to 14, 2026, the Ferrara Expo exhibition centre hosted the 31st edition of the International Fair for Cultural and Environmental Heritage, for the first time held mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday). The edition featured over one hundred events, including conferences, study days, exhibitions, and workshops.
The opening day, May 12, began with the General States of Restoration, followed by a study day dedicated to the restoration of the Ferrara Cathedral. The Ministry of Culture played a prominent role, with a presence in Pavilion 4 featuring 44 institutes and superintendencies, alongside major projects like the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and the Borghese Gallery. A new section in Pavilion 3 was dedicated to Italian artistic craftsmanship. Key themes included: artificial intelligence, construction site sustainability, and safety, with participation from delegations from 18 countries.
Programme Restoration 2026
2026 Programme
- May 12 — Inauguration and General States of Restoration; in the afternoon, study day "The Restoration of the Ferrara Cathedral".
- May 12-14 — Over 100 events: conferences, round tables, seminars, workshops, and B2B meetings with foreign delegations.
- Exhibition spaces of the Ministry of Culture (Pavilion 4) with 44 institutes and superintendencies.
- New section "Italian Artistic Craftsmanship" in Pavilion 3.
- Focus on the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, Borghese Gallery, and film restoration (workshop L'Immagine Ritrovata, Cineteca di Bologna).
Highlights Restoration 2026
- General States of Restoration on the opening day
- Ministry of Culture in Pavilion 4 with 44 institutes and superintendencies
- New section dedicated to Italian artistic craftsmanship
- Focus on artificial intelligence, sustainability, and construction site safety
- International delegations from 18 countries
Prices Restoration 2026
Practical information — Restoration
How to Get There
The event takes place at Ferrara Expo, Via della Fiera 11, in the Ferrara exhibition centre. By car: take the Ferrara Nord exit from the A13 Bologna-Padova motorway, just a few minutes from the exhibition centre. By train: Ferrara station, well-connected on the Bologna-Venice line, with a shuttle service or city bus to the fairgrounds.
Opening Hours and Admission
The pavilions are generally open from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Admission is free upon mandatory registration on the official website www.salonedelrestauro.com, where you can also find the full conference programme and the list of exhibitors.
Tips
Advance booking is recommended for conferences and study days due to high attendance. Your visit can be combined with exploring the historic centre of Ferrara, an art city recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Restoration
Ferrara Expo - Quartiere Fieristico
Via della Fiera 11, 44124 Ferrara