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The present work focuses on the necessity of protecting religious heritage, both movable and immovable, against risks, by considering the need of individuating a different approach for managing and safeguarding this category of goods in comparison to the other kind of cultural properties. Chapter 1 highlights the reason for a need of differentiation and particular care. Conversely, in Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 the major risks are analyzed, in order to protect living religious cultural heritage from natural and man-made disasters. Thus, starting from the risk management process, a specific strategy is defined, treating the major risks that places of worship may be threatened by (floods, fire, earthquakes,armed conflict and looting). Finally, a practical approach to the safeguard of both the artistic and spiritual value of living religious patrimony has been individuated in the involvement of the religious community into the risk management process, by proposing a few useful suggestions, in order to face the main risks which may damage religious properties.

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Veronica Piacentini was born in Rome in 1978. She graduated in Architecture. After a few research and working periods (ICOMOS Paris, ICCROM Rome, ITPCM Pisa) on the safeguard of cultural heritage she achieved a Ph.D. in Technology and management of cultural heritage. She is currently employed by the Italian Civil Protection Department.

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