Buona Notte, Roma: Museum Night in Rome

European Culture Day lights up the night in Italy on May 15, when cultural institutions celebrate with evening events.  If in Rome this Saturday evening, you’ll be given the key to the city for Notte dei Musei– literally opening doors to museums, galleries and excavation sites for free visits of Rome’s cultural heritage from 8pm to 2 am.  Take advantage of the evening to go way off the beaten path to visit some of Rome’s less clichéd museums.

Headlining my Saturday evening’s itinerary is the Galleria Nazionale Arte Moderna (National Modern Art Gallery), with its rich and enviable collection of Italian modern and contemporary artists.  Think of it as a prequel to the 21st century and the soon-to-open MAXXI, a visual history lesson of Italian art from the 1800s to yesterday.  At 9 pm, the Galleria hosts Re-Think, a concert where masterpieces will be paired with musical interpretations- hi-fi Futurism, acoustic Arte Povera and classic Contemporary.

By 10:15 pm, I’ll make my way to the Navona area to Palazzo Altemps, a collection of ancient Roman sculpture.  Set among the architecture of a 15th century palazzo, the sculptures are some of Italy’s very best.  On Saturday,  Altemps ups the ante by adding theatrical satires based on the 12 Caesars.

If I can make it across town in time– either by motorino or bike-sharing, you’ll find me in Trastevere.  Hidden in Piazza Sant’Egidio is the Museo di Roma, an interesting and tiny collection of Roman art and tradition from the 19th and 20th century. The first floor’s six life size dioramas, 3-D period piece snapshots, are my favorite reenactments of Rome.  At 11 pm, the Museum hosts “Seven Centuries of Roman Songs”, traditional Roman music and melodies from the 15th century to the present.

Saturday evening may be my only time to set foot in Italy’s most important judicial and political offices- (Senate), Palazzo MadamaPalazzo Montecitorio (Parliament), and Palazzo di Giustizia, Italy’s highest and supreme, and I won’t get another chance to glimpse the neo-rococo decorations unless I am participating in a session of sorts.  Built after the 1870 unification of the Kingdom of Italy, these buildings are testaments to the majestic architecture, frescoes and ornaments of the post-Unification era, circa 1880.

My evening will end under the stars at the Villa Medici , the beautiful white Renaissance villa resting on the edge of Villa Borghese and overlooking Piazza del Popolo.  Walking the lush gardens is a pleasure at any time, and on Saturday night, it will be le fin.  Home to the Academie de France, the French cultural institute showcases many modern and contemporary exhibitions and performances, and Saturday is no exception with the uber contemporary i Mutanti.

Bonus visit for the Graphically Inclined:

Attached to the piazza behind the Trevi Fountain is Istituto Nazionale per La Grafica, National Institute for Graphic Art.  I’ve always gotten kick of the early 20th century letterpress at the front entrance, with Sicily’s trinacria on its wheel, and I ‘m looking forward to its collection of prints and designs since the 1700s.   Make sure to make a late night wish at the Fountain.

Information for the Notte dei Musei can be found here.  Hours are 8pm until 2 am, usually with last entrance at 1 am.  Please make sure to reserve when required.

• Galleria Nazionale Arte Moderna, Viale delle Belle Arti, 131, 9pm concert
• Istituto Nazionale della Grafica, Via della Stamperia, 6
• Museo di Roma, Piazza Sant’Egidio, 1/b, performances begin at 9 pm and 11 pm.
• Palazzo Altemps, Piazza Sant’Apollinare, 46, 9 pm, 10:15pm, 11:30 pm.
• Palazzo di Giustizia, Piazza Cavour
• Palazzo Madama, Piazza Madama 11
• Palazzo Montecitorio, Piazza di Monte Citorio, 33
• Villa Medici, Academie de France, Viale Trinità dei Monti, 1