The Vatican Museums are opening their doors for evening visits once more this year. Every Friday between the 20 April – 26 October visitors can have the special treat of viewing the rooms outside the normal hours when (hopefully) the ever popular museums will be less crowded.

Opening hours are between 7 pm and 11 pm, with last entry at 9.30 pm.

An added attraction is the series of concerts under the stars in the Cortile della Pigna (Courtyard of the Pine Cone – so called because of a gigantic Roman fountain in the shape of a pine cone).

In collaboration with the Comitato Nazionale Italiano Musica (CIDIM), the musical performances, under the title of Museidisera Arte, will cover a wide variety of forms, ranging from international folk music, band music and the classics. All concerts start at 8 pm and are included in the price of the entry ticket.

Info: www.museivaticani.va