The Pantheon and Castello Sforzesco even after sunset: off-hours tourism in Rome and Milan

Evening openings at museums, archaeological parks, monuments, villas and historic residences are transforming the way we experience our cultural heritage: more time to explore, cooler temperatures and, above all, fewer crowds.

The most significant development stems from the collaboration between the Ministries of Culture and Tourism: throughout August, a trial scheme will be launched extending the opening hours of some of the country’s most visited sites by up to four hours. In Rome, this applies to the Colosseum (open until 11.30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays) and the Pantheon (open until 11.00 pm every day except Thursdays), whilst in Milan the Sforzesco Castle will be open every day until 7.30 pm. The aim is to better spread out tourist flows and offer the chance to visit the monuments during the cooler hours of the day, thereby enhancing the visitor experience.

Rome is one of the cities investing most heavily in this initiative: in addition to the trial involving the Colosseum and the Pantheon, the Vittoriano and Palazzo Venezia are also continuing to open in the evenings, with admission until 11.30 pm on numerous summer dates. Other monuments in the capital are also taking part, including the Baths of Caracalla: as well as hosting the opera season, they are offering ‘Notturno Imperiale’ guided tours, allowing visitors to admire one of ancient Rome’s largest thermal baths complexes illuminated after sunset (though all dates are already fully booked).

Castel Sant’Angelo is hosting the evening programme “L’Angelo e la Luna”, featuring extended opening hours, concerts, performances and tours of the ramparts overlooking the Tiber. On Saturdays and Sundays, there are also evening openings at the Ostia Antica Archaeological Park, specifically at the Castle of Julius II, the Ship Museum and the Ostiense Museum; these visits are often accompanied by jazz concerts, historical re-enactments and cultural events.

Turin is also firmly focusing on evening visits: the Royal Museums are celebrating their tenth anniversary with ‘Estate Reale’, a packed programme combining special openings, concerts, theatre performances, dance, poetry and artistic performances within Palazzo Reale, the Galleria Sabauda, the Gardens and the archaeological site. The Reggia di Venaria hosts “Sere d’estate” (Summer Evenings), a well-established event where, every Friday and Saturday until 5 September, the Savoy residence remains open until 11 pm; visitors can walk through the Galleria Grande and the royal apartments, stroll through the gardens illuminated by some five thousand candles, watch dance performances, enjoy an aperitif at sunset or have a picnic in the gardens, and round off the evening by the water features of the Fontana del Cervo.