Throughout August, the Colosseum and Pantheon in Rome, as well as the Sforza Castle in Milan, will welcome tourists until evening or even late at night. This gives visitors the opportunity to see the famous sites when it is cooler outside, writes “Time Out”.
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The Colosseum will be open until 11:30 PM
The trial schedule announced by the Italian Ministry of Culture began on August 1. On Fridays and Saturdays, the Colosseum will be open four hours longer than usual – until 11:30 PM.
The Pantheon will be additionally open to visitors daily, except Thursdays, from 7 PM to 11 PM.
The Sforza Castle in Milan will be open two hours longer daily – until 7:30 PM. Throughout August, it will also be possible to purchase cheaper tickets for the Michelangelo sculpture “Pietà Rondanini” exhibited in the castle and the exhibition “Passione e Disegno”. Visitors are advised to check the exact prices on the official castle website.
Offering a different way to see the sites
The decision to extend working hours was made not only because of the heat. Italy’s Minister of Culture Alessandro Giuli said that evening visits will allow experiencing the famous sites in a completely different way.
“Special evening openings of the Colosseum and Pantheon provide the opportunity to experience two world-renowned testimonies of history and human ingenuity in an exceptional setting,” said the minister.
Over the past decade, cultural tourism has risen from seventh place to first among the most frequently cited reasons to visit Italy.
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Heat poses a danger to workers as well
The scorching heat in Rome has been talked about more frequently in recent weeks. Pressure is also increasing on workers who have to work outdoors for long hours.
Last August, a tour guide collapsed and died during a shift at the Colosseum when the temperature reached 31 degrees. After this incident, the Italian Federation of Guides urged tourist sites to open earlier and better protect workers from the sun.
Evening working hours will not completely solve the problem, but will allow tourists to visit the most important sites in Rome while avoiding the hottest midday hours.
Red alert
Italy is not the only European country battling the heat. The continent is experiencing the fourth major heatwave of this summer, caused by hot air moving in from the Sahara.
Red, orange, and yellow warnings have been issued in several European countries. In Italy alone, the highest level warning is in effect this week in 27 major cities, including Rome, Milan, Naples, and Venice.
In Spain, temperatures in some areas rise above 40 degrees, and in southwestern France, residents and vacationers had to be evacuated due to forest fires.
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