5 days ago
Italy to mark Republic Day with free entry to state-owned museums
The Festa della Repubblica, celebrated every year on June 2nd, commemorates the birth of the Italian Republic as we know it today.
It marks the date in 1946 when Italians voted in a referendum to abolish the unpopular, Fascist-aligned monarchy and establish a democratic republic.
As the date falls on a Monday this year, people in Italy will be looking forward to a three-day weekend.
And while a trip to the beach to take advantage of the expected sunny weather might sound enticing, if you're staying in the city, you'll be able to visit one of the country's many state-owned museums and archeological parks free of charge.
These include some of Italy's best-known cultural attractions, which are featured in a list on the culture ministry's website.
Those in Rome, for example, will have free access to the Colosseum, the Pantheon (which introduced an entry fee for non-residents in 2023), Castel Sant' Angelo, the Borghese Gallery, and the nearby archeological park of Ostia Antica.
People in Florence will be able to visit the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's David.
Venice residents and visitors will have access to Palazzo Grimani and its Accademia Gallery, housing masterpieces by the likes of Tintoretto and Titian, free of charge.
And Milan's Pinacoteca di Brera gallery and Cenacolo Vinciano museum, home to Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, will also open their doors for free.
The initiative is related to Italy's free museum Sundays scheme, through which state museums and parks open to the public for free on the first Sunday of every month.
That means visitors will be able to access the same sites for free on Sunday, June 1st – though you could miss out on special events or unusual opening hours being offered on Monday in honour of Republic Day.
For some of the more popular sites, the ministry notes that you may need to book your place in advance; check the website of the attraction you plan on visiting to see whether this applies.
