Cultural Heritage Restoration Technician
PFP2 specialization: Painted works on wooden and textile supports; wooden sculptures; wooden furniture and structures; objects made of synthetic materials that are worked, assembled and/or painted.
ENG
Language
English
Start date
October 2026
Frequency
Full time
Fruition
On campus
Duration
3 Years
Course Coordination
Daniele De Luca
A course designed to help you care for works of art and cultural heritage, combining technical expertise with historical awareness
Learn how to understand, protect and conserve cultural heritage by working directly with real artworks through the three-year Cultural Heritage Restoration Technician – PFP2 program at Accademia di Belle Arti Aldo Galli – IED Network, in Como.
This program guides you step by step in developing the technical and scientific skills needed to support certified restorers in restoration and conservation work on artistic heritage. During the course, you will learn how to observe and analyze materials and deterioration processes, use professional tools and methodologies, and always operate in full compliance with cultural heritage protection regulations.
Your training combines historical-artistic and scientific knowledge with extensive hands-on workshop experience: from the first year, you will work on real artefacts alongside industry professionals, developing a working method based on precision, responsibility and a deep respect for the historical and cultural value of the works.
Following accreditation, the qualification awarded by Accademia di Como will be recognised by the Lombardy Region and at national and European level, in compliance with Legislative Decree No. 42/2004. The qualification is professionally qualifying and enables graduates to practise as Cultural Heritage Restoration Technicians.
Qualification awarded
Professional Qualification of Cultural Heritage Restoration Technician (compliant with the National Qualifications Framework and the European Qualifications Framework)
*The programme is designed in accordance with the current regional regulations governing the training of Cultural Heritage Restoration Technicians. Accademia di Como has initiated the recognition process to become an accredited training institution with Regione Lombardia. The activation of the programme is subject to the accreditation of the venue and the approval of the training pathway by Regione Lombardia
Following accreditation, the qualification awarded by Accademia di Como will be recognised by the Lombardy Region and at national and European level, in compliance with Legislative Decree No. 42/2004. The qualification is professionally qualifying and enables graduates to practise as Cultural Heritage Restoration Technicians.
Daniele De Luca
Course Coordinator Bachelor in Cultural Heritage Restoration Technician - PFP2
Information to decide
A course that teaches you how to understand, protect and conserve cultural heritage
The Cultural Heritage Restoration Technician – PFP2 program at Accademia di Como provides you with the theoretical and practical tools needed to approach the restoration of cultural heritage in a conscious, professional way.
The program is centered on restoration methodology, which accompanies students throughout the three years: from the observation of the artefact and the study of its materials, to the assessment of deterioration processes, through to the definition of the most appropriate conservation treatments.
Alongside historical-artistic and scientific subjects, a key component of the course is dedicated to workshops and training sites, where you will work on real artefacts in particular paintings on canvas and wooden supports, wooden furniture and sculptures, and objects made of synthetic materials always under the guidance of lecturers and professional restorers.
Over the three-year program you will study in depth:
- • theory and history of restoration
- • history of art
- • chemistry and biology applied to cultural heritage
- • materials and artistic techniques
- • documentation and diagnostic methods
- • conservation and restoration techniques
- • safety regulations and legislation for restoration sites
The teaching approach is based on learning by doing: hands-on practice in the workshop and direct engagement with real case studies will help you develop operational autonomy, a strong sense of responsibility and critical-thinking skills all essential competences for your future profession.
Internships and work placements in restoration labs and cultural institutions are also included, giving you the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the professional field.
The Cultural Heritage Restoration Technician – PFP2 program is designed for students who wish to receive rigorous, professional training in the field of cultural heritage conservation. It is ideal for those interested not only in art history and artistic techniques, but also in the scientific and material aspects of artworks, and who want to contribute concretely to the protection of cultural heritage.
This course is particularly suitable for people with care, precision and strong observation skills, who are motivated by detailed, patient and responsible work. The practical dimension is central: the workshop and restoration site become learning environments where theoretical knowledge is constantly tested and reinforced through hands-on experience.
No prior specialist training is required, apart from knowledge of the English language. The program supports students step by step in acquiring the necessary skills, starting from the historical-artistic and scientific foundations and gradually developing advanced technical competences.
The course is also designed for international students interested in training within the Italian context and experiencing an immersive introduction to Italian culture, while acquiring v specialized skills in Italian restoration. This learning path takes place in an ideal setting such as Como, a city with a strong cultural and artistic vocation, offering a study-friendly and human-scaled environment
The course is ideal for those who imagine their professional future in a cultural environment in museums, institutions, laboratories, institutions, cultural heritage sites, restoration sites and who wish to develop a solid technical profile, able to collaborate with certified restorers and operate in full compliance with heritage protection regulations.
Syllabus
First Year
During the first year, students acquire the essential theoretical and technical foundations of restoration.
Introductory lectures on art history and restoration theory are combined with intensive workshop activities: from the very beginning, students work directly on painted artefacts on canvas, learning professional methods, tools and intervention criteria in accordance with cultural heritage protection laws.
Learning activities include practical exercises, direct observation of artworks, deterioration analysis, technical documentation and the use of introductory restoration techniques.
- Restoration Theory (40 hours)
- Art History (60 hours)
- Biochemistry and Scientific Analysis (60 hours)
- Photographic Survey Techniques (75 hours)
- Drawing for Restoration and Decoration (90 hours)
- Painting Techniques (135 hours)
- Gilding (110 hours)
- Preventive and Conservative Restoration of Painted Works on Textile Supports (180 hours)
- Workplace and Working-at-Height Safety (20 hours)
- Documentation of Conservation and Restoration Interventions on Cultural Heritage (30 hours)
Second Year
In the second year, students consolidate their technical and methodological skills. They deepen their knowledge of materials and deterioration processes, strengthen graphic and digital competences applied to restoration, and begin to work more independently on wooden furniture, sculptures and painted artefacts.
A significant part of the program is dedicated to a professional internship, which provides gradual exposure to real-world laboratory and restoration-site environments.
- Art History (60 hours)
- Chemistry for Restoration (30 hours)
- Digital Tools for Restoration (60 hours)
- Drawing for Restoration (100 hours)
- Restoration of Wooden Furniture and Sculptures (110 hours)
- Preventive and Conservative Restoration of Painted Works on Textile Supports (180 hours)
- English Language (12 hours)
- Cultural Heritage Legislation (18 hours)
- Biology Applied to Restoration (30 hours)
Third Year
The third year is dedicated to refining operational skills and achieving full technical autonomy, always under the supervision of an experienced, certified restorer authorized to work on cultural heritage.
Students work on different types of wooden and textile artefacts, further developing their skills in cleaning and reintegration techniques, while also exploring innovative fields such as virtual restoration and the treatment of synthetic materials.
The program culminates in an intensive internship experience, designed to support the transition into professional practice.
- Art History (30 hours)
- Chemistry and Scientific Analysis (30 hours)
- Drawing for Restoration (30 hours)
- Pictorial Restoration: Cleaning and Retouching (60 hours)
- Restoration of Gilded Works (40 hours)
- Restoration of Painted Works on Canvas (60 hours)
- Restoration of Works on Wooden Supports (70 hours)
- Transport and Packing of Artworks (20 hours)
- Virtual Restoration (30 hours)
- Restoration of Objects in Synthetic Materials (30 hours)
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