Location: San Gemini, TR, Umbria, Italy
Season: June 1, 2026 to August 7, 2026
Application Deadline: March 15, 2026
Deadline Type: Exact Date
Website: https://www.sangeministudies.info
Program Type:
Field School
RPA Certified:
No
Affiliation:
West Virginia University
Project Director:
Massimo Cardillo
Project Description:
San Gemini Preservation Studies is a summer field school offering a series of programs that combine lectures, research, fieldwork, workshops, and field trips in the disciplines of historic preservation, restoration, and conservation. Located in the picturesque city of San Gemini, Region of Umbria, Italy, all academic activities are conducted in English.
The school offers five distinct, 4-week programs in the following areas plus an optional 10 day tour:
1. “Touching the Stones”: Restoration and Analysis of Historic Buildings
This program includes lectures and field analysis of historic buildings, focusing on material restoration of Medieval structures in San Gemini. The fieldwork in 2026 will involve restoring the stone masonry of Porta Tuderte, a Medieval city gate, along with field trips and hands-on experience.
2. Restoration and Analysis of Archaeological Ceramics
This program provides essential theoretical and practical knowledge in the conservation of archaeological ceramics. Workshops will focus on the analysis and documentation of pottery sherds from excavations at Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, along with practical training in cleaning and restoring classical Mediterranean pottery.
3. Historical Bookbinding and Conservation of Books and Archival Materials
In this course, students will gain skills in traditional bookbinding techniques through lectures and hands-on workshops. Practical fieldwork will involve the conservation of materials from the San Gemini Historic Archives, with additional field trips exploring other sites of historical interest.
4. Introduction to the Restoration and Conservation of Paper Documents and Art on Paper
This course includes both lectures and practical workshops focused on the conservation of paper documents. Students will work on materials from the San Gemini Historic Archives and other sources, gaining hands-on experience in restoring documents and artworks on paper, complemented by field trips to related institutions.
5. Traditional Italian Painting: Materials, Methods, and Issues in Restoration and Conservation
This program teaches students various traditional Italian painting techniques, including fresco painting, sgraffito, panel painting, gilding, and oil painting on canvas. Students will participate in workshops to learn and execute these methods while gaining insight into the challenges of restoring historic paintings.
6. Preservation Tour: Florence, Siena, and Rome
This unique 10-day tour offers students a chance to visit active restoration sites, institutions involved in the conservation of cultural objects, and key architectural landmarks in Florence, Siena, and Rome. Special focus will be given to architecture and urban structures, with behind-the-scenes insights into restoration efforts.
The program is aimed to students of Restoration and conservation of cultural objects, architecture, archaeology, museum studies, art, archival management, history, anthropology.
Period(s) of Occupation: San Gemini Preservation Studies is a summer field school offering a series of programs that combine lectures, research, fieldwork, workshops, and field trips in the disciplines of historic preservation, restoration, and conservation. Located in the picturesque city of San Gemini, Region of Umbria, Italy, all academic activities are conducted in English. The school offers five distinct, 4-week programs in the following areas: 1. "Touching the Stones": Restoration and Analysis of Historic Buildings This program includes lectures and field analysis of historic buildings, focusing on material restoration of Medieval structures in San Gemini. The fieldwork in 2026 will involve restoring the stone masonry of Porta Tuderte, a Medieval city gate, along with field trips and hands-on experience. 2. Restoration and Analysis of Archaeological Ceramics This program provides essential theoretical and practical knowledge in the conservation of archaeological ceramics. Workshops will focus on the analysis and documentation of pottery sherds from excavations at Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, along with practical training in cleaning and restoring classical Mediterranean pottery. 3. Historical Bookbinding and Conservation of Books and Archival Materials In this course, students will gain skills in traditional bookbinding techniques through lectures and hands-on workshops. Practical fieldwork will involve the conservation of materials from the San Gemini Historic Archives, with additional field trips exploring other sites of historical interest. 4. Introduction to the Restoration and Conservation of Paper Documents and Art on Paper This course includes both lectures and practical workshops focused on the conservation of paper documents. Students will work on materials from the San Gemini Historic Archives and other sources, gaining hands-on experience in restoring documents and artworks on paper, complemented by field trips to related institutions. 5. Traditional Italian Painting: Materials, Methods, and Issues in Restoration and Conservation This program teaches students various traditional Italian painting techniques, including fresco painting, sgraffito, panel painting, gilding, and oil painting on canvas. Students will participate in workshops to learn and execute these methods while gaining insight into the challenges of restoring historic paintings. 6. Preservation Tour: Florence, Siena, and Rome This unique 10-day tour offers students a chance to visit active restoration sites, institutions involved in the conservation of cultural objects, and key architectural landmarks in Florence, Siena, and Rome. Special focus will be given to architecture and urban structures, with behind-the-scenes insights into restoration efforts. The program is aimed to students of Restoration and conservation of cultural objects, architecture, archaeology, museum studies, art, archival management, history, anthropology.
Notes:
1) All academic activities are conducted in English.
2) All conservation and restoration work is done with the approval and supervision of the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per l’Umbria and following all building codes and construction safety regulations.
3) All restoration and conservation work done by students is directly supervised by professional restorers and archaeologists.
Project Size: 1-24 participants
Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 4 weeks
Minimum Age: 18
Experience Required: None
Room and Board Arrangements:
We provide accommodations in apartments with kitchens. We do not provide meals.
Academic Credit:
Students can receive academic credit through West Virginia University
