Heritage Under Protection

On 20 November, our College had the honor of welcoming Lt. Col. Diego Polio, a leading Italian expert in the protection of cultural heritage. Originally from Genoa and highly decorated within the Carabinieri, he currently serves as Commander of the Nucleo Operativo dedicated to safeguarding Italy’s artistic, historical, and archaeological treasures. His solid academic background in Law and Security Sciences, combined with years of leadership in key operational units across Italy, makes his contribution in this field particularly remarkable.

During his visit, Lt. Col. Polio shared with our community the challenges faced in defending Italy’s vast cultural patrimony—threatened by illicit trafficking, clandestine excavations, and art forgery. He explained the work of the Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale, the world’s first unit specialized in cultural protection, and illustrated how modern technologies, such as the global database of stolen artworks and the AI system SWOTS, support investigations and international cooperation.

He also recounted significant recoveries of stolen artifacts, the importance of cultural diplomacy, and how collaboration with other countries helps return precious works to their rightful places. His clarity, passion, and real-life examples made his visit both inspiring and deeply enriching.

We express our sincere gratitude to Lt. Col. Diego Polio for sharing his expertise and for his continued service in safeguarding the cultural memory of Italy and the world.