Free museum Sunday precedes Settimana dei Musei.

Italy's state-run museums and archaeological sites are open free of charge on Sunday 3 March as part of the Italian culture ministry's Domenica al Museo programme.

Rome's municipal-run museums are also free on 3 March - for residents of the capital - for information see Musei in Comune website.

The free museum Sunday precedes Italy's first edition of Settimana dei Musei when state museums and archaeological sites in Rome and across Italy will be open for free for six days in a row, from 5-10 March.

Full details of Domenica al Museo can be found on the Beni Culturali website while for a comprehensive list of Rome's museums see Wanted in Rome website.

Photo: Seated warrior, Palazzo Altemps