Close-Up Cantieri 2026: guided visits to restoration sites at the Herculaneum Archaeological Park

Close-Up Cantieri 2026: behind the scenes at the Herculaneum Archaeological Park

Close-Up Cantieri opens restoration sites inside the Herculaneum Archaeological Park to the public, offering a close-up view of conservation work. Archaeologists, conservators and technicians explain the methods and technologies used to protect and restore the site.

Visitors can see wall consolidation, fresco cleaning and restoration, artifact documentation techniques and structural monitoring systems in action. Groups are intentionally small to encourage interaction and direct questions to the specialists.

What to expect during the visit

• Format and duration: about a one-hour guided tour with live demonstrations.
• Small groups: up to 15 participants per session.
• Hands-on approach: explanations are paired with practical interventions, highlighting innovation, safety and sustainability in archaeological practice.

Practical information and bookings

Scheduled dates for the restoration-area visits are: March 12 and 26; April 9 and 23; May 7 and 21. Visits take place on Thursdays every other week, with two sessions:

• 10:00 – 11:00 (Italian-language session)
• 11:30 – 12:30 (English-language session)

Participation in the tour is free but requires purchase of the park entrance ticket: full €12, reduced €2 (free on special "Museum Sunday" initiatives). Booking is mandatory and places are limited: reserve online via the organiser's website or call the call center at +39 0810106490 (Monday–Saturday, 9:00–17:00). Participants meet at the archaeological site entrance.

Getting to the Herculaneum Archaeological Park

The park is a short distance from Naples and reachable by:

• Train: Circumvesuviana Naples–Sorrento line, stop Ercolano Scavi; a few minutes' walk to the site.
• Car: A3 Naples–Salerno motorway, exit Ercolano; check live traffic before departing.
• Public transport: the metropolitan area is served by buses and metro connections.

Herculaneum is ideal for short stays in Campania, close to Pompeii with Mount Vesuvius as a backdrop. Attending Close-Up Cantieri allows visitors to see heritage conservation as an active, transparent process where advanced techniques and professional collaboration safeguard history.