About us
Expertise, research and care for cultural heritage come together in Preserving Assisi.
Haltadefinizione and Gruppo Panini Cultura
Since 2005, Haltadefinizione has been the Italian leading company in cultural heritage digitisation, beginning with the world’s first gigapixel imaging of a work of art. Over the years, it has developed advanced expertise in gigapixel imaging, 3D imaging and multispectral analysis applied to artworks, cultural objects and documents. These technologies are used in projects that broaden access to cultural heritage, including digital platforms and tools for research and education, interactive touchscreens, immersive experiences using headsets and physical replicas of works of art.
Today, Haltadefinizione is part of Gruppo Panini Cultura, a network of companies specialising in the Digital Humanities and working together across the entire cultural heritage workflow, from digitisation and metadata creation to data management and the delivery of content through digital platforms and publishing.
General Custody of the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis in Assisi
From the time of its foundation and opening, the Papal Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, a shrine dedicated to preserving the memory and precious mortal remains of the Saint, has been entrusted to the care of the Franciscan Order.
The General Custody of the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis in Assisi is the community of Friars Minor Conventual entrusted by the Holy See with safeguarding and promoting the spirituality and faith embodied here, together with the art they have inspired. From its earliest days, the Basilica itself has stood as an eloquent expression of all three.
The Franciscan community is led by the General Custos of the Sacred Convent, an office held since 2020 by Friar Marco Moroni, OFMConv.
Patronage and support
Under the patronage and with the support of
National Committee for the Celebration of the Eighth Centenary of the Death of Saint Francis of Assisi
Established in preparation for the 2026 anniversary, the National Committee promotes a cultural programme dedicated to the life and work of Saint Francis and to the places associated with him. It supports restoration, research, education and publishing, as well as exhibitions and events of significant cultural, historical, scientific and artistic value. The Committee also supports initiatives that bring the Franciscan legacy to wider audiences in Italy and abroad, including through digital projects, new technologies and international collaboration.
The Committee contributes to Preserving Assisi through its patronage and support.
Patronage
Umbria Region
The Umbria Region supports initiatives marking the Franciscan centenary, promoting the legacy of Saint Francis both across Umbria and internationally.
It supports cultural, tourism and institutional projects that foster greater knowledge, conservation and wider awareness of Franciscan heritage.
Through these initiatives, Umbria strengthens its role as a place of spirituality, dialogue, culture and innovation.
Municipality of Assisi
The Municipality of Assisi is taking part in the Franciscan centenary celebrations by highlighting the city’s unique role as both the birthplace and symbolic heart of the story of Saint Francis. Assisi is home to the Basilica of Saint Francis, which, together with the historic centre and other Franciscan sites, forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In this context, Assisi continues to be an international point of reference for understanding and passing on the Franciscan message.
Partner
University of Florence - Department of Architecture
The Department of Architecture (DIDA) is one of the organisational units of the University of Florence (UNIFI), responsible for coordinating research and educational activities. It works closely with the School of Architecture, which oversees teaching and academic programmes.
Its approach to research and teaching is rooted in design as both a cultural and scientific discipline, bringing together aesthetic and humanistic, technical and scientific, and economic and organisational perspectives.
Supporter
BPER
BPER supports Preserving Assisi in 2026–2027, contributing to the development of the project and the sharing of the Basilica’s digital heritage.