In the last decades, the interest in the development of protective coatings for movable and immovable Cultural Heritage (CH) assets has decidedly increased. This has been mainly prompted by the raising consciousness on preservation requirements for cultural artefacts and monuments, which has consequently determined the development of new protective products. From acrylic resins used at the end of the last century to the up-to-date biomaterials and nanoparticles employed nowadays, the research has made a giant step forward. This article reviews the progresses, the technical challenges, and the most recent advances in protective coatings for archaeological metal, glass, and stone artefacts. It aims at offering a comprehensive and critical overview of the progressions in conservation science and displaying how research has optimized polymers in order to solve deterioration problems. Attention is given to recently developed materials, hybrid coatings, and corrosion inhibitors. This work seeks to provide a reference point for future research and to offer a wide-ranging introduction on the newly available material technologies to restorers and conservators.

The main purpose of the review is to analyze the terminology and methodologies for conservation treatment in cultural heritage conservation, in particular, to define key terminology (such as quality, compatibility, efficacy, and durability); to identify methodologies for assessing conservation interventions; to examine case studies where these assessment techniques have been applied. A summary of the various definitions of terms such as quality, compatibility, efficacy and durability found in the literature is provided. This is followed by a presentation of some theoretical approaches found in the literature on how to evaluate different aspects of conservation interventions. Some more practical examples are then considered, with a focus on mural paintings. Finally, the importance of monitoring interventions over time in the context of preventive conservation is highlighted. The present review emphasizes that key concepts such as compatibility, efficacy, and durability are inherently flexible and context-dependent, often overlapping and evolving according to cultural heritage typology, intervention methods, and environmental conditions.

This study explores the role of Venice’s minor cultural assets – such as coats of arms, reliefs, and shrines – in promoting sustainable tourism. These scattered artefacts, strongly tied to local identity, are threatened by pollution, climate change, and mass tourism. By analysing their conservation state and mapping degradation, the project proposes new tourist routes that highlight this hidden heritage while also engaging citizens, students, and visitors in awareness and basic monitoring activities.

This volume gathers the contributions of various professionals in cultural heritage conservation who participated in the debate organised by “Spoke 9” – CHANGES project (National Recovery and Resilience Plan), coordinated by Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, in Cibiana di Cadore (23-24 September 2024). Endorsed by the Municipality of Cibiana and the National PhD in Heritage Science, the meeting involved the local community and representatives of other Italian ‘Painted Villages’. It addressed mural conservation through its cultural and social significance and the application of advanced technologies, highlighting legal recognition, non-invasive monitoring, and sustainable preservation.