by InTrieste
Across Italy today, entry is free at state museums and archaeological parks as the country celebrates Festa della Repubblica, the annual holiday marking the moment in 1946 when Italians voted to abandon the monarchy and establish a republic.
The Italian Culture Ministry’s initiative—now in its third year—extends free admission to some of the country’s most treasured cultural sites, from the Colosseum in Rome to the Uffizi in Florence and the Royal Palace of Caserta. In the northeast, the Castello di Miramare, perched above the Adriatic in Trieste, is among the state museums welcoming visitors at no cost.
Built in the mid-19th century for Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian of Habsburg and his wife, Princess Charlotte of Belgium, Miramare Castle is one of Italy’s most atmospheric historic homes. Today, visitors can wander through more than 20 ornately decorated rooms—including Maximilian’s private chambers—and stroll through the castle’s sprawling cliffside park, home to rare and exotic plant species. Since 1955, the castle has operated as a state museum under the Italian Culture Ministry, and in 2016, it was granted special autonomy.
This year marks the 79th anniversary of the referendum that shaped modern Italy. The vote, held in the wake of World War II and the fall of Fascism, saw Italians overwhelmingly choose a republic, ending the rule of the disgraced Savoy monarchy.
The June 2 opening comes just one day after Domenica al Museo, Italy’s long-running program offering free admission to state museums on the first Sunday of each month. In cities like Rome, the initiative overlaps with municipal free-entry schemes, offering even more cultural access for both locals and tourists.
