Culture week this year will be from April 16-25th. This is an annual event, which means access to all public museums and historical sites are free (there are a few exceptions).

So, if you are in Rome at that time, you hit the jackpot.

dave

NO WAY!!! I am there that week. This is fantastic - thanks!

It's not just Rome, but all Italy state museums and historical sites. Here's the link to the Ministry of Culture Website. http://www.beniculturali.it/mibac/ex...AC/index.html/
It's in Italian but you can use google to translate the page and then search by region as to what places are included.

For Rome, all state museums and historical sites will be free. For Borghese Gallery, you still need advance reservation.
http://www.galleriaborghese.it/info-en.htm
All church-owned museums (e.g. the Vatican) and sights (St Peter's dome, catacombs etc) are excluded.

Pro: they are free!
Con: they are crowded!
If there are sites you especially want to see without standing in long lines, inquire about availability of timed tickets even during Culture Week. I was bummed to have to stand in line for hours and would gladly have paid in advance for a timed ticket to the Uffizi (ten years ago, so things may have changed since then).

If I am going to be in Rome during that week, it seems I should be buying a €11, 3day "bti - biglietto turistico integrato" for buses and metros instead of a €25 Roma Pass?

Correct Greg, the Roma Pass would not pay off. Are you only in the city for 3 days or more? The 7 day transit pass is like 16 euros.