Hi, I'll be in Rome April 13,14,15,16, does anyone know if Vatican Museum will be open during this time?? The 15th is Easter! Thanks to all responses!

Been there, done that, as the saying goes. Yes, it is open as everything else will be. Easter (Pasqua) is the busiest time for Italy and you will likely get a glimpse of the Pope during that time. He often says the service at St. Peters on that weekend so be sure to show up early. Enjoy your trip. Italy is beautiful that time of year.

Actually the Vatican Museums are closed on many holidays, normally including Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. That seems to cover your visit pretty well. <BR> <BR>Ed

thanks Ed, but I had a feeling, but maybe as Carolyn says, we'll get a glimpse of the Pope!!

Well, unless things have changed in the last year, they were open that week. We were there on Easter for the last 2 years and visited the Vatican on Saturday, the day before Easter 2 years ago. They may close early on Saturday however. They are open Easter week. But, in fairness, I didn't try the Vatican on Sunday and I do believe they are closed on Easter Sunday but you can try to attend St. Peters for Easter! Also, as I remember, Mondays are sometimes a closed day in Italy for some merchants, etc. By the way, they do have a slight dress code: women need to cover up their shoulders and upper arms.

Some years back, the Vatican Museums closed on Friday and Sunday, but were open Saturday and Monday. Last year it appears they were open during the whole Easter week, including Sunday. But last year was a special one. Haven't seen anything on line regarding specificaly this year. If I had to bet on it I'd say they should be open on Saturday (short hours) and I also would place my stakes on Monday (normal hours) ... but don't shoot me if I'm wrong <BR> <BR>Paulo

See http://www.santasusanna.org/html/Vatican/museums.html <BR> <BR>Ed

Santasussana should know better for sure, Ed. When I checked the page you mention, though, it puzzled me once it states that last year it should have been closed from Friday through Monday. Either a very close friend of mine is nuts or Santasussana is wrong I just called him and ... he reassured me that he's not nuts and that he visited the museums last year on Easter Saturday. Furthermore, he's pretty positive that it was also open on Friday and Sunday. <BR> <BR>Having a closer look into Santasussana's page, one notices that it's very old: 1st couple months of 1999 at best. If they decided to change the prior policy and keep it open during the Jubilaeum year, it's evident that Santaussana's web master didn't keep up with it. <BR> <BR>I then checked Romeguide's page. I figured that since they make a living out of it (guided tours), they should in principle have the correct info. According to them, this year the Museums should be open on Friday and Saturday (long hours) and closed on Sunday and Monday! <BR> <BR>http://www.romeguide.it/VATICANO/info_it.htmrario <BR> <BR>Who shall one believe? Make your bets <BR> <BR>Paulo

Good news. <BR> <BR>The Vatican Museums will be open Holy Week through Saturday, from 0845-1530. The museums will be closed 15 and 16 April. <BR> <BR>This is a very reliable source. <BR> <BR>Ed

To all of my fellow Travelers! Thanks for all the responses!! As we'll be arriving in Roma on Sat, the day before Easter, we'll just pray that the Vatican Museum, etc, will be open!! If not, we can always attend mass on Easter Sunday at St. Peters. Next year we'll just avoid Holy week! What a great excuse to return!!