This year the annual week of culture organised by the ministry for culture takes place from 25-31 March. During the event all state-run museums, galleries, monuments and archaeological sites across the country are open to the public free of charge and numerous exhibitions, performances, guided tours and other initiatives have also been organised for the occasion.

For a full list of events by region see the culture ministry website www.beniculturali.it. There is also a freephone information number tel. 800991199.

In Rome as in past years city council-run museums and galleries such as the Capitoline Museums, Trajan