FLORENCE, ITALY – Culture Minister Dario Franceschini on Thursday June 19, 2014 announced changes to opening hours and entry fees at State-run museums and monuments to bring Italy “into line with Europe”.
From July 1, 2014, when the changes come into effect, under 18s will have entry free of charge, while people aged 65 and over – who, until now, have had free entry – will have to pay.
There will also be reductions for young people aged 18-25. Opening at major sites such as the Colosseum in Rome and the Uffizi gallery in Florence will be extended by two hours until 10pm on Fridays, while on the first Sunday of the month entry to all State-run monuments, museums and archaeological sites will be free. In addition ‘museum night’ involving late-night openings for a nominal ticket price of 1 euro will be held twice a year.