This paper describes how some innovative methodologies have been designed and employed to support the restoration of the Madonna of Pietranico, a terracota statue severlely damaged in the 2009 earth-quake. The statue, fragmented in many pieces, has undergone a complex restoration perfomed by a multidisciplinary working group. The contribution of digital technologies was planned from the very beggining, since the complexity of this restoration originated the design of innovative procedures for managing the reassembly and restoration process. The Madonna test bed was therefore an example of how technology nnovation could be pushed by clear applications needs. A first important contribution was the study of the recombination hypothesis of the fragments. This initialphase was performed on digitized 3D models of the statue fragments, with the aim of reducing fragments manipulation, preventing further damages and increasing the capabilities to rehearse and evaluate different reassembly options. The accuracy of the 3D scanned models and the new recombination procedure introduced in this paper allowed to manage this phase in the digital domain with successful results. The digital 3D models were also used to desig and produce an innovative supporting structure, constructed with a rapid prototyping device. Another important contribution concerned the study and virtual 3D domain the very complex original polychrome decoration, on the base of the remaining traces. Consequently, new virtual paintings functionalities have been designed on the MeshLab platform ( an open-source tool for 3D models visualization and manipulation ) for reproducing pictorial decorations over digital 3D models and have beem repainting process and to identify further technology enhancements. Finally, computer graphics technologies have been also used to produce a video that tells the story of the restoration.