With the establishment of E-RIHS ERIC, the European consortium for heritage sciences, Italy confirms its status as a leader in cultural heritage research. Thanks to the support of the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) and coordination by the National Research Council (CNR), the E-RIHS Central Hub is based in Florence, within the regenerated spaces of the Manifattura Tabacchi, strengthening the country’s role in protecting and enhancing cultural assets. E-RIHS (European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science) was founded to solve the issues of cultural heritage conservation and research by combining scientific expertise, innovative technology, and access to world-class infrastructure. The infrastructure, led by Italy, includes 11 European countries as well as foreign partners such as ICCROM, enhancing collaboration among research institutes, universities, museums, and restoration laboratories. Italy's support has been critical: the MUR has spent over 35 million euros in the growth of E-RIHS, while the CNR has guaranteed cutting-edge facilities and interdisciplinary expertise. The infrastructure enables non-invasive diagnostic technologies, digitization, and geophysical investigations, thereby contributing to important international projects such as the study of the Etruscan painting technique in the Tarquinia Necropolis and the analysis of materials from Morandi and Solario's works. "Italy is a pioneer in this field and the recognition of E-RIHS as a strategic European infrastructure confirms our commitment to research and innovation for cultural heritage", according to Minister Anna Maria Bernini. With this new institution, Italy sets itself at the forefront of international research, encouraging scientific excellence while also creating new prospects for the preservation and enhancement of the world's cultural heritage.