Pompeii Opens Hands‑On Internships for Conservators with Botticino

Pompeii opens hands-on internships for conservators

The Archaeological Park of Pompeii, in partnership with Ales S.p.A. and Valore Italia, has started a programme of internships for students from the Botticino School of Restoration. The initiative turns excavation sites into open-air classrooms where trainees gain practical conservation experience on historic surfaces and structures.

Start date: 9 April 2026.

Programme highlights

• Internship cycles last seven weeks each, totaling 250 hours per cycle.
• Close mentorship by conservators, archaeologists, architects, engineers and skilled technicians.
• Hands-on tasks include monitoring and maintenance of decorative elements, work on plasters, frescoes and mosaics.
• Cross-disciplinary training that merges classroom knowledge with on-site practice.

Roles and supervision

Students work within active work sites at the archaeological park, carrying out daily conservation tasks under the guidance of Ales S.p.A. staff and park officials. The programme aims to strengthen technical abilities, observational skills and professional responsibility.

Significance for heritage preservation

Project leaders emphasise that on-site training is crucial to maintaining and protecting cultural heritage: hosting emerging conservators ensures skill transmission and enhances the operational safeguarding of the site. Investing in education reinforces a scientific and practical approach to conservation.

What participants gain: direct learning opportunities, collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and essential professional tools for careers in cultural heritage conservation.