Presented in May 2022, the Salone dell’Arte e del Restauro took place in Florence from 16 to 18 May at Palazzo della Borsa, the city’s Chamber of Commerce. The fair is the primary event for professionals working in cultural heritage preservation and management.
The exhibition programme spans conservation, restoration, museum practice, professional training, emerging technologies, and cultural and environmental tourism. Across recent editions, the fair has occupied over 4,800 square metres of exhibition space at the Fortezza da Basso exhibition complex, managed by Firenze Fiera, and has drawn approximately 160 exhibitors and more than 20,000 visitors.
Programme and International Reach
The 2022 edition featured more than 100 events, including exhibitions, cultural events, conferences, and panel discussions. Since 2018, the fair has organised the International Conference Florence Heri-Tech in collaboration with the University of Florence, an international symposium focused on technologies applied to restoration and cultural heritage, with proceedings published following each meeting.
The previous edition saw the fair establish a collaborative agreement linking three major European cultural heritage fairs: the Spanish biennial AR&PA and Austria’s Monumento Salzburg.
Awards and Access
During the fair, the Friends of Florence—Salone Restauro di Firenze Prize was awarded: a grant of €20,000 supporting a restoration project for a work located in Florence. The prize is promoted by the non-profit Friends of Florence Foundation.
Visitors could access all three days of events free of charge following online registration to the programme, which offered both in-person and online attendance options.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Salone dell’Arte e del Restauro?
It is the main professional fair for cultural heritage operators, covering conservation, restoration, museums, training, new technologies, and cultural tourism in Italy and internationally.
How many visitors and exhibitors typically attend?
Recent editions have hosted approximately 160 exhibitors and over 20,000 visitors, with more than 100 events held across the fair.
What is the Florence Heri-Tech conference?
Since 2018, the fair has organised the International Conference Florence Heri-Tech in partnership with the University of Florence, addressing technologies applied to restoration and heritage management, with published proceedings.
