Can you photograph (without flash) in museums in Italy?

Question

I went to the Lourve earlier, and was surprised that you could take pictures everywhere.... is it the same in Italy?

Answer 1

The only place I know of where you cannot take any pictures is the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City -- unless they have changed the rules on non-flash equipment.  Other than that, I know of no other places throughout Italy that prohibit pictures.

The best rule of thumb is to contact your guides or ask at your hotel. In most cases, it will be made clear as to whether or not pictures are or are not allowed.

Answer 2

Mostly. I think there are a few halls in museums that you can't. I know you can't in the Sistine Chapel.

Answer 3

We found that it was OK to photograph sculpture but they generally said No to paintings, tapestries etc because of the loss of colour, as Genius Cook said.

Answer 4

You can.  There are a few that say no, but they don't inforce it.

Answer 5

You used to be able to, but there are more places that don't allow photographs now. The Uffizi and Accademia in Florence no longer allow photos although they did when I first moved here. You cannot take photos inside St Mark's in Venice either. There are still some places that allow photos.

Answer 6

In most musuems you can take flashless photos.  And if it's not allowed there will be plenty of signage telling you so.

If you're camera has something like a 'museum' option (that's what it is on my Pentax), that takes high quality flashless photos, then by all means use it.  It's well worth it.

Answer 7

Generally you cannot take photos in Italian museums. The no flash rule holds everywhere because the burst of light / flash "bleaches" the paintings.

Answer 8

Yes, but don't. You won't get very good shots and you'll worry more about that then the art.

A nice alternative is to spend hours soaking up all the art you want to see and then go buy the postcards of your favourites off the streets.

Plus the guards always give you suspicious looks and I hate to upset them.