kybourbon

While there has been a thread about the Vatican Museum opening late on Friday nights (11pm) during Sept. and Oct., I don't think it's been mentioned that a few other museums will also be staying open late. Certain museums on certain nights.

Vatican Museums - Friday nights
http://biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/...sita=17&step=1

Capitoline Museum, Ara Pacis and Central Montemartini on Saturday nights.
Colosseum/Forum on Sunday nights.
http://en.turismoroma.it/oggi_a_roma.../musei_di_sera

They state there is a special Roma Pass for this, but I haven't been able to locate that information.

Additionally, if you plan to be in Rome the last weekend of Sept. many sites will be free entrance for Heritage weekend (Colosseum, etc.).

Pwem

This is very interesting. I have been to the Vatican Museum during the regular daytime, but it is always unbearably crowded. Are the crowds any less for a Friday night admission?

kybourbon

This is new and starting in Sept.so no way to predict crowds. You can book your ticket on the Vatican website.

I'm trying to locate a website to confirm the free Heritage weekend, but most sites have old dates (2007). I was there last Sept. during the free weekend.

haaland

Does anyone know what other sites are available for free entrance on this Heritage weekend?? We will be in Rome during this time and it would be great if some of the more expensive sites were included...

kybourbon

Heritage weekend (still haven't found any confirmed date for it) usually includes all the state museums/sites such as Colosseum/Forum, Castel Sant'Angelo, Capitoline, etc. Many of what's listed on the Roma Pass. Click on the various selections under museums.
http://www.romapass.it/p.aspx?l=en&tid=2

kybourbon

Actually I found it on the Italian Cultural website (in Italian).
http://www.beniculturali.it/mibac/ex...ali/index.html

Giornate Europee del Patrimonio Proposta dal Consiglio d’Europa
26-27 settembre 2009
Le manifestazioni che si prevedono rispondono all’esigenza di far conoscere il patrimonio italiano al resto d’Europa nella consapevolezza dell’appartenenza a comuni radici culturali. Il patrimonio culturale diventa in tal modo il più importante veicolo per diffondere la conoscenza delle radici e della cultura dei Paesi europei: un ponte tra individualità e universalità, tra passato e futuro.
Durante le Giornate è previsto l’ingresso gratuito in tutti i siti (archivi, biblioteche,musei, gallerie, aree archeologiche ed altri).

Google translator:

European Heritage Days proposal by the Council of Europe
26-27 September 2009
The demonstrations are expected to respond to the need to raise awareness of Italian heritage to the rest of Europe in the awareness of belonging to common cultural roots. The cultural heritage is thus the most important vehicle for spreading knowledge of roots and culture of European countries: a bridge between individuality and universality, between past and future.
During the day is free admission to all sites (archives, libraries, museums, galleries, archaeological sites and others).

Since the last Sunday of the month is that weekend also, the Vatican Museum will be open and free. I would not attempt the free entrance for the Vatican as they don't stay open late (about 1 pm) and the lines are terrible.

Zerlina

The heritage weekend (Giornate europee del patrimonio) will be September 26 and 27.
http://www.060608.it/it/content/item...coli/itm/42607

annhig

thanks, ky - we'll be there in Feb so i don't think that works.

etkt

My daughter and I visited the Vatican Museum on a Friday night in July 2010. Although, we did not get the first entry (we did get the next entry), the Museum was surprisingly empty. There were all of about 10 people in the Sistine Chapel by the time we got there. Having been in the Museum during the day in April, September and August, this was the most pleasant visit I have ever had. I would highly recommend going to the Museum on a Friday night if it works with your schedule.