09/06/2026
🏛️ Two days in Acqui Terme for the European project Interreg Europe
On 4–5 June 2026, Comune di Acqui Terme hosted the 3rd Partner Meeting and the 2nd Hybrid Seminar and Capacity Building Workshop of PROTECH 2024, dedicated to “Preventive Risk Management for Cultural Heritage: Piedmontese Perspectives for Heritage Protection across Europe”.
The event was organised by LAMORO Development Agency and the Municipality of Acqui Terme, bringing together European partners, stakeholders and local actors for two days of capacity building, exchange of experience and study visits.
During the first day, the workshop explored different approaches to preventive risk management for cultural heritage.
Elena Gallizio – Consolidarte di Elena Gallizio presented the restoration of the Pieve del Cauro di Montechiaro d’Acqui, highlighting an interdisciplinary approach to the conservation of a territorial cultural heritage site.
Paola Croveri and Marie Claire Canepa – Centro Conservazione Restauro "La Venaria Reale" discussed preventive conservation protocols, from the EPICO method to Horizon Europe projects, with a focus on the Piedmont Royal Residences.
Virginia Valesio – Fondazione LINKS presented technologies for planned conservation and preventive maintenance, focusing on fountains and monuments in Turin’s public space.
Architects Stefano Chiodi and Chiara Caniggia, together with Simone Giovanni Lerma – Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio Alessandria, Asti e Cuneo, shared the Via Cassino case study, addressing archaeological coverings and accessibility.
Lorenzo Torielli – Gruppo Comunale Volontari Protezione Civile Alessandria focused on the role of Civil Protection as an active guardian for heritage safeguarding in emergency situations.
The programme also included the Steering Committee Meeting, a study visit to the Museo Archeologico di Acqui Terme and the inauguration of the Wide Area Museum Network.
On the second day, participants took part in study visits across the territory: in Sezzadio, they visited the Abbey of Santa Giustina; in Comune di Cassine - Informazioni Utili, the “Paola Benzo Dapino” Museum of Sacred Art, the Church of San Francesco and the historic centre; in Montechiaro d'Acqui, the Parish Church/Pieve; in Acqui Terme, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and La Bollente, the city’s historic thermal spring; and in Comune di Monastero Bormida, the castle. The event concluded with the official inauguration of Acqui Terme Romana 2026. ✨
A heartfelt thank you to all speakers for their valuable contributions, to all participants for their active engagement, and to the municipalities that welcomed us during the study visits.
Special thanks to the participating partners (Centre for Development of the East Planning Region; Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Estonia; FSMLR; CTRIA; Estonian War Museum – General Laidoner Museum; City of Antwerp; NHI National Institute of Heritage; Junta de Castilla y León) and stakeholders (The Estonian Maritime Museum Foundation; Monumentenwacht – Province of Antwerp; HERITA – Flemish Institute; KIK – Belgian Federal Institute; CTRIA; Junta de Castilla y León).
