EUROPEAN DAYS OF CONSERVATION-RESTORATION 2026

The Committee of Conservator-Restorers of the Czech Association of Museums and Galleries will once again take part in this year’s European Days of Conservation-Restoration, which will take place from 12 to 18 October 2026. The aim of this pan-European event, which was first launched in 2018 by the European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers Organisations (E.C.C.O.), is to highlight the importance of the profession of conservators and restorers in the preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage. The aim is to introduce the public not only to interesting projects, but also to the knowledge and specific skills, new technologies and high international standards required to practise this profession. To highlight that conservation-restoration is an important interdisciplinary field which contributes to the preservation of our history and plays a part in the development of research and innovation, whilst having a direct impact on sustainable tourism and related economic indicators. During the celebrations, the wider public has a unique opportunity to gain a glimpse into places that are normally hidden from the view of the average visitor.

In 2025 alone, the campaign achieved enormous visibility in both the real and digital worlds, with 231 different events taking place across 17 European countries. This incredible mobilisation of the professional community attracted over 72,000 views on the E.C.C.O.’s official channels and sparked more than 2,600 active responses and thought-provoking online discussions. This year, a whole host of museums, specialist schools and private conservators and restorers, united under the Committee of Conservator-Restorers of the Czech Association of Museums and Galleries, have once again joined in these celebrations. A rich programme of lectures, guided tours and practical demonstrations has been prepared as part of the open days. We believe that the European Days of Conservation-Restoration will once again spark the interest of the general public.

How to take part

  • By organising open days at conservation and restoration laboratories, studios, workshops, university departments and other cultural heritage sites, which will give visitors an insight into the profession and the projects being carried out.
  • By sharing photographs and recordings from these workplaces and venues on the Czech Association of Museums and Galleries and E.C.C.O. websites and social media (in English).
  • By issuing press releases.

 

Websites

 

Social neworks

  European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers Organisations

  e.c.c.o_conservator_restorers

European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers Organisations

Official hashtags
#ECCO_EDCR, #ECCOCommunity

 

PROGRAMME

Methodological Centre for Conservation of the Technical Museum in Brno

The ceremonial sword of Jan of Rottal in the care of conservator-restorers
Alena Selucká, Karel Rapouch

Following on from the exhibition The European Sword, exhibition on the symbolism, production, and evolution of swords across the centuries, which is open at the Technical Museum in Brno until 15 November 2026, conservators and researchers will present the results of their investigation and the treatment process for the ceremonial sword of Jan of Rottal. This governor’s sword was a symbol of the supreme power of the Margraviate of Moravia and of the monarch’s representative, a role held by Jan of Rottal, owner of the Holešov estate, between 1648 and 1655. The sword, together with its scabbard, was examined at the Methodological Centre for Conservation on the basis of an assessment of characteristic craftsmanship features and using modern instrumental methods. Historical hallmarks on the silver fittings were identified, as were the overall construction of the sword, including its symbolic elements and gilded decoration. The mechanical durability and swordsmithing quality of the weapon were confirmed. During the restoration work, the metal surfaces were cleaned and the damaged organic materials of the scabbard were stabilised. Following restoration, the sword is on display to the public in the permanent exhibition at Holešov Castle. The lecture will take place as part of the European Days of Conservation-Restoration 2026, which offer a behind-the-scenes look at museum work. After the lecture, there will be an opportunity to view the current exhibition.

The Committee of Conservator-Restorers of the Czech Association of Museums and Galleries