From the 15th - 21st of April it's Italian culture week. All state run museums and archeological sites are FREE.<BR> Sadly on the 16th of April their's a STRIKE from 9a.m. - 5 p.m.

Does this include the Vatican museums?

I don't think the Pope has anything to do with the state so I would say, no!

up up and away

Please forgive the dumb question, but is the Accademia in Florence a state run Museum? And if so, then no reservations would be possible and everything would be first come, first serve?

John: I have no idea if it is state run, but you can reserve for the Accademia. I have done so on the net in anticipation of our visit in one month.<BR><BR>j

Although the museums and archaeological sites are free you must still obtain a ticket to go inside. The Vatican museums are definitely not free although the Capitoline museums, Colisseum, Palatine hill, Baths of Caracalla, Palazzo Massimo and the Palazzo Altemps are. As for Florence I don't know!

Does anyone know when italian culture week is in 2003?

One warning, whenever there is free admission to the muesums there, tremndous crowds.

The last time I checked, Vatican City is a SEPARATE country so the free museum week by the Italian Ministero dei Beni culturali has no effect on the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica (where entrance is free anyway) or anything to do with the Vatican or the Holy See. Don't forget! As for the Accademia, Bargello, Uffizi museums, yes they are Italian state run museums and would be free. You will need, however, a ticket to get inside.

I believe the Vatican Museums are free the last Sunday of every month.

That's not the same thing as equating the free Italian Museum week with the Vatican Museums.

That's not the same thing as equating the free Italian Museum week with the Vatican Museums.