Rai3 Documentary Explores Notre Dame Restoration and Italian Craftsmanship

A new episode of the Italian TV program Frontiere, airing on Rai3 on Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 4:30 PM, offers an in-depth look at the restoration of Notre Dame de Paris, dubbed the 'construction site of the century' by President Macron. The documentary, hosted by Franco Di Mare, highlights the contributions of Italian professionals and artisans to the project. Among the featured experts are architect Carlo Blasi, a UNESCO consultant, and architect Livio De Luca, CNRS research director and scientific coordinator of the digital restoration site. The episode also showcases the Giusto Manetti Battiloro family, gold leaf artisans from the 1600s who have worked on landmarks like Big Ben and for Russian oligarchs. The program explores both traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technologies, such as polymer processing via digital tools. A notable example is the replica of Michelangelo's David, created through high-resolution 3D scanning and printing, representing Italy at Expo Dubai. The documentary aims to reveal the intersection of heritage and innovation in the restoration effort, which is scheduled for completion by 2024, in time for the Paris Olympics.