The Department’s activity relates to the protection, conservation and enhancement of this architectural heritage, in close synergy with the Directorate and with the other Departments and Laboratories of the Vatican Museums, the Directorate of Infrastructure and the other State Administrations.

Through field work, a fundamental tool for ascertaining the state of conservation of the assets and the identification of eventual necessary interventions, activities such as inspections, surveys and the drafting of various projects are carried out.
It is also involved in scientific research to support the restoration that is undertaken and in the cataloguing of properties aimed at deepening knowledge of the Vatican heritage.
These activities are complemented by participation in conferences, publications, and the organization of conferences and study days.
The Department is currently staffed by two architects and a geochemist.