On Friday, 8 May 2026, the Department of Engineering at the University of Palermo hosted the conference “Heritage Acoustics: Rediscovering the Sounds of Historical and Archaeological Heritage.” This interdisciplinary event was dedicated to exploring soundscapes as an essential, yet often overlooked, component of cultural heritage.
Event Highlights The conference fostered a dynamic dialogue between diverse scientific fields, focusing on the multidisciplinary study of historical spaces. Key themes included acoustic simulations, in-situ measurements in ancient theatres, and virtual reconstructions. The programme featured institutional greetings from the Rector and Department Directors, followed by technical sessions on Heritage Acoustics and methodological workflows.
Angela Bellia and her colleagues engaged in critical discussions regarding the integration of technology and historical research. The event benefited from the contributions of distinguished scholars, including Arianna Astolfi, Louena Shtrepi, and Lorenzo Lavagna (Politecnico di Torino), as well as Maurizio Cellura and Marco Beccali (University of Palermo). Professor Bellia expresses her sincere gratitude to Valentina Favaro, Director of the Department of Cultures and Societies, for her participation, and to Vincenzo Franzitta and the staff of the University of Palermo’s Acoustics Laboratory for facilitating the technical visit that concluded the session.
This gathering underscored the importance of leveraging scientific and technological innovation to deepen our understanding and preservation of the auditory dimensions of our historical past.
