Restaurare sott'acqua: 25 Years of Underwater Conservation at Baia
The underwater archaeological park of Baia, located near Naples, serves as the main site for the 'Restaurare sott'acqua' initiative, which marks 25 years dedicated to the preservation of underwater cultural heritage. Launched in 2001 by Roberto Petriaggi, the former director of NIAS at ICR, this project adheres to the principles outlined in the UNESCO 2001 Convention. Since 2003, it has focused on the restoration of mosaics and structures within Parco Sommerso di Baia, such as the Villa con ingresso a protiro and Terme dei Lottatori. It has also expanded its reach through EU collaborations like SASMAP and provided training for Greek restorers in 2018. The initiative has created specialized tools and involved the ICR's Biological Investigations Laboratory alongside the University of Calabria. Future obstacles include climate change and the integration of AI technologies.
Key facts
- The 'Restaurare sott'acqua' project was initiated in 2001 by Roberto Petriaggi.
- The project is based at the Parco Sommerso di Baia, a 177-hectare marine protected area in the province of Naples.
- The project follows the UNESCO 2001 Convention for the protection of underwater cultural heritage.
- Restorations at Baia include mosaics in the Villa con ingresso a protiro (2003, 2012), Terme dei Lottatori (2009, 2018), Villa dei Pisoni (2005-2009), and Portus Iulius (2005, 2015).
- The project has contributed to EU projects SASMAP, i-MARECULTURE, and MUSAS.
- In 2018, the BLUEMED project involved training Greek restorers at the Villa romana dei dolia near Epidaurus.
- Other sites include San Pietro in Bevagna, Cala Spalmatore, and Lake Bolsena.
- Future challenges include climate change and integration of AI and digital tools.
- The project aims to train new generations of underwater archaeologists and restorers.
Entities
Artists
- Roberto Petriaggi
Institutions
- Istituto Centrale per il Restauro (ICR)
- Nucleo per gli Interventi di Archeologia Subacquea (NIAS)
- Ministero della Cultura
- Soprintendenza per le Antichità subacquee del Ministero della Cultura ellenico
- Università della Calabria
- Parco Sommerso di Baia
- Area marina protetta
- UNESCO
Locations
- Baia
- Naples
- Italy
- Roma
- Nettuno
- Villa di Torre Astura
- Portus Iulius
- Epidauro
- Greece
- San Pietro in Bevagna
- Taranto
- Cala Spalmatore
- Marettimo
- Egadi
- Lake Bolsena