The European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS) is the new hub for research on cultural heritage, launched at Manifattura Tabacchi in Florence. With the headquarters having been bought by Fondazione CR Firenze, made available thanks to an agreement with the Italian National Research Council, researchers, scholars and professionals will now have access to the most advanced technologies for the study and conservation of cultural heritage.
The E-RIHS will feature the best laboratories and archives (both physical and digital), with leading technologies. The headquarters in Italy will be a key research centre, favouring an interdisciplinary approach focused on innovation in the conservation and management of archaeological sites, monuments and works of art. The Italian National Research Council are the coordinators behind E-RIHS, having established the Renaissance city as the fitting home.
The initiative was brought about due to the synergy between the institutions involved that sought to create a centre point in which human sciences, scientific disciplines and technologies are combined into a single knowledge, following the example of Leonardo da Vinci.
“I’m pleased that a scientific hub of this magnitude is located here, in Florence, where art will dialogue with science and technology,” said Maria Chiara Carrozza, president of the CNR. “it will be possible to deepen the knowledge on cultural heritage, to safeguard it and hand it over to future generations.”
Giovanni Manfredi, Managing Director of Manifattura Tabacchi, commented, “The choice of Florence and Manifattura Tabacchi as the headquarters for such a prestigious research structure fills us with pride and we are very grateful to Fondazione CR Firenze and CNR for the trust they have placed in us.”
An estimated 600-1,000 researchers, technicians and collaborators will be involved with 1,000-1,500 users each year. The core mission of E-RIHS is to provide access to the most advanced equipment in the sector accompanied by constant research, advanced training and education and the promotion of the infrastructure at an international level.
