X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy: the Italian beamline GILDA of the ESRF

GILDA is the Italian CRG beamline at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. It is specialized in X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy in different materials. In this contribution the beamline layout and experimental facilities are described as well as a short collection of experiments done by exploiting the peculiar capabilities of the beamline for measurements on dilute systems and thin films. A detailed project for the refurbishment of this instrument after 20 years of successful operation is also presented in the last section.