From 6 September until 25 October, the Vatican Museums open every Friday evening from 19.00-23.00, with last admission at 21.30.

The visit includes the Pio-Clementine museum, the Egyptian museum, the upper galleries, the Raphael rooms, the Borgia apartment, the collection of modern religious art, and the Sistine Chapel.

For the duration of the initiative there is a special season of musical events entitled Il Bello da Sentire as a result of collaboration between the Vatican Museums, La Venaria Reale and Turin’s state musical conservatory Giuseppe Verdi.

Online booking is mandatory and exit from the galleries begins 30 minutes prior to closing time.

Now in its fifth consecutive year, the popular initiative attracts an audience of mainly Roman residents rather than tourists.

For full details including ticket prices see the Vatican Museums' website.