
Training
For a multidisciplinary training in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage
The Opificio Higher Education School (SAFS – Scuola di Alta Formazione e Studio) for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage offers multidisciplinary and comprehensive graduate-level training that integrates humanities, technical and scientific skills.
Exclusive methodology
The activities, mainly practical-technical, take place in the Institute’s laboratories, participating the activities and experience of the eleven OPD Restoration Departments, in close dialogue with art historians, archaeologists and scientific experts: an exclusive methodology that embraces cultural heritage conservation within an interdisciplinary perspective, combining tradition and innovation.
Qualifying Title for the profession of Restorer
The final diploma awarded by the OPD Higher Education School is equated with a master’s degree in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage (class LM-R/02), that qualifies to the profession of Restorer of Cultural Heritage.
Partnerships with universities and research institutions
All the training activities rely on a wide network of collaborations, with Universities, Institutes of Culture and national and international research Institutions
Educational offering
Dati
Five-year, single-cycle Master degree program in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage
A rich course of training that embraces heritage at 360 degrees
The OPD Higher Education School awards a diploma equivalent to a Master degree in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage in accordance with the Ministerial Decree No. 87 of May 26, 2009. The five-year degree program has the same curriculum for the 5 professional training programs (Italian Acronym PFP – percorso formativo professionalizzante) in which it is structured. In the theory fundaments, the curriculum is common to all the training programs, whilst the practical training part in the laboratories is differentiated for each program. The choice of the professional training program is made at the time of application for admission: each year an international call for applications provides for admission to one or more training programs (selected on a rotating basis) and is open to a maximum of 10 students per year.
Professional training program
PFP-1 Stone materials and derivatives, decorated surfaces in architecture
PFP-2 Painted artefacts on wooden and textile support. Artefacts carved in wood. Wooden furniture and constructions. Artefacts made with processed, assembled, and/or painted synthetic materials
PFP-3 Textile and leather materials and artefacts
PFP-4 Ceramic, glass, and organic materials and artefacts. Metal and alloy materials and artefacts
PFP-5 Book and archival material. Artefacts on paper and parchment. Photographic, film, and digital material.
Corsi di alta formazione per la conservazione dei beni culturali
Corsi brevi rivolti ai professionisti operanti nel settore del patrimonio culturale che intendono sviluppare competenze interdisciplinari in ambiti specifici inerenti la conservazione e la tutela.
La FOP – Fondazione Opificio – in collaborazione con l’Opificio delle Pietre Dure promuove un programma formativo avanzato, articolato in seminari specializzati e workshop interdisciplinari sulla gestione e conservazione del patrimonio culturale.
Admission Competition for the OPD Higher Education School (5 year degree)
Admission to the OPD Higher Education School is through an open international competition, announced each year by the Ministry of Culture, indicating the professional training programs for which one can apply. Classes are taught in Italian.
A requirement for admission to the competition is possession of a five-year high school diploma (or four-year diploma plus one supplementary year). EU and non-EU citizens can participate in the competition.
Higher Education School – Notices and Announcements
Here you can find the latest updates regarding the OPD Higher Education School Study and the admission competition
Higher Education School Secretary’s Office
Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Contact us for more information on admissions, enrolment, fees and contributions:
tel. 055 2651325 | opd.saf@cultura.gov.it

Prospettive professionali
Al termine del corso di laurea quinquennale, con la discussione dell’elaborato finale (che ha valore di esame di stato abilitante) si consegue il titolo di Restauratore di beni culturali, il professionista che definisce lo stato di conservazione e mette in atto un complesso di azioni dirette e indirette per limitare i processi di degrado dei materiali costitutivi dei beni e assicurarne la conservazione, salvaguardandone il valore culturale.
Il restauratore analizza i dati relativi ai materiali costitutivi, alla tecnica di esecuzione ed allo stato di conservazione dei beni e li interpreta; progetta e dirige, per la parte di competenza, gli interventi; esegue direttamente i trattamenti conservativi e di restauro; dirige e coordina gli altri operatori che svolgono attività complementari al restauro. Svolge attività di ricerca, sperimentazione e didattica nel campo della conservazione.
The degree program according to our students
Find out how students who attend our courses and graduates rate them. You can find their opinions on teaching, teachers, services, and course organization.
Our Open Days
Each year we present Open Days. Events dedicated to discovering the wide range of our training courses, specialisation courses, internships, etc.
