Rome, overflowing with art and architecture on its streets and in its churches, is one city in Europe that you can see on the cheap. As Ian Fisher notes in today’s article, “In the Eternal City, Priceless Art for No Price at All,” you can create a free, impromptu tour of Michelangelo or Caravaggio works by simply paying attention when visiting small churches such as San Luigi dei Francesi and Santa Maria del Popolo. Fisher also directs tourists to go beyond Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces to check out the modern art scene in galleries such as the Monitor Gallery. Of course, one need only to browse the Valentino and Fendi shop windows along the Via Condotti to appreciate Rome’s ongoing contribution to design.
While Fisher’s article is one to print out and tuck away for a future visit to Rome, it fails to mention another way to see Italy’s treasures for free. May 12 - 20 will mark Cultural Week, a yearly event (usually scheduled for spring) when all of Italy’s state-owned museums are fee-free. State-owned museums in Rome include the Capitoline Museums (which house some Caravaggios) and the Galleria Borghese, among others.
The Settimana della Cultura also features new exhibits, free guided tours, special lectures, and more. A guide to some of the happenings during the week is available here (PDF, in italiano). You can also search or browse a list of Italy’s state-owned museums for itinerary ideas.
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