Free Museum Day on August 2 Draws Visitors Across Italy

On the first Sunday of August (August 2, 2024), Italy’s Ministry of Culture’s “Domenica al Museo” programme opened state museums and archaeological parks to the public free of charge. The initiative, running since 2014, invites all visitors to explore cultural heritage without paying an entry fee and typically attracts hundreds of thousands of people nationwide.

In Brescia, the civic museums – including the Museo di Santa Giulia, the Parco archeologico di Brescia romana, the Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo, the Museo delle Armi Luigi Marzoli and the Museo del Risorgimento Leonessa d’Italia – offered free admission to anyone born or residing in the province. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00 (last entry at 18:15) and with special hours on Ferragosto, visitors simply presented an ID confirming local birth or residence. The national programme’s list of participating sites changes each month, and opening times may vary, so visitors are advised to check the Ministry’s website before going.