Italian art buried rescued

Italian conservation expert still working to save the art items are buried by a massive earthquake last May.

One of the buildings damaged by the earthquake that struck the city of Mirandola, Emilia Romagna region, including San Francesco, an Italian family basilica, Pico, who once ruled the region.

The basilica is one of the most historic buildings in Mirandola.

A number of items including the remaining pillars basilicas and tombs Pico family.

In addition to San Francesco, the city's cathedral also suffered heavy damage from the earthquake on 29 May.

Andrea Sardo - who worked at the Ministry of Culture Italy-including one of the experts involved to assess damage to historic buildings in the region.

Sardo also examines the impact of the earthquake damage in Assisi and Aquila, but what happened at Mirandola - he-is the most severe.

San Francesco and cathedral were among 2200 churches and other historic buildings damaged by the earthquake.

Since May, conservation experts started tracking thousands of objects of art before the goods are further damaged by the rain and cold weather.

Team of experts to train students and local residents to record in detail what needs to be improved, including sculpture and painting.

Art items damaged taken to a special place to be cleaned and repaired by conservation experts.

Funds are needed to correct items of art and historical heritage is estimated at U.S. $ 3 billion.

EU offers help around U.S. $ 856 million for redevelopment, while the Italian government has pledged U.S. $ 10.3 million to repair historic items.