Camera bag checking in Rome churches, museums?

Jim, I normally just carry my dSLR and leave the bag back at the Hotel, so I'm not absolutely sure which Museums you'll have to check the bag. One exception is the Borghese Gallery where you'll have to check just about anything you're carrying, including the Camera, purses, backpacks, etc.! I had to check my dSLR last time time I visited there, and was impressed with how carefully the staff handled my Camera. They didn't say anything about the P&S I had in my pocket, however it would have been impossible to snap any pictures, as there are Docents in each room and CCTV cameras everywhere! I'm sure I would have faced a humiliating exit from the gallery if I had tried to "sneak" any pictures. Many Museums in Italy have "airport style security", complete with X-Ray scanners, so you'll have to contend with that also. Happy travels!

Churches are impossible to predict when it comes to checking a camera bag. Some places even distinguish between the type of bag - messenger bag okay, but daypack of the same size or smaller not allowed. Welcome to Italy. :-)

Yes, Borghese Gallery will definitely make you check everything.
I also checked my purse and camera etc in other places: San Marco in Venice to name one. I always got everything back, money included.

Jim - I've never heard of anyone having problems with mandatory bag checks at museums. Your luggage is far more likely to disappear on your flights than something stolen from a museum bag check. In Rome, the Borghese is the only musuem that comes to mind as having mandatory bag check. And you'd be crazy to skip that museum for that reason. I'm not aware of any Rome churches that require bag checks, though some areas prohibit photos.

I just received a confirmation for the Scavi tour at the Vatican, and it says bags must be checked and no photography allowed. I am wondering if camera bags are allowed or even just having the camera strap over my shoulder but not taking any pictures. I have not bought this new camera yet, so leaving it somewhere makes me quite uneasy. Has anyone taken the scavi tour with their camera visible or have they let you in with your camera bag?

I would assume that they would not allow you to take a camera bag in, or have a camera of any sort on you if a bag check is required.<p>
Several places say "no photo" but don't require bag checks or anything. IE, the Sistine Chapel and Florence's Accademia where David is housed; they are "no photo" situations but people take pics anyway, and just get yelled at from a distance by guards, etc, who just say "NO PHOTO!!". =-)

Natalie, In my experience, some Museums & Galleries are VERY strict about the "No Photos" rule, and others are a bit more "lax" about enforcing this. I always try to respect the rules, even if others are ignoring them. A good example of this is my last visit to the Duomo in Milan. They had prominent signs in front stating "No Photos". I had to pass through three security personnel at the front entrance (Polizia di Stato, Carabinieri and Army!) before entry. I told them I wouldn't take any photos and they didn't have a problem with me carrying the Camera (it's large and very difficult to hide anyway!). However, when I got inside I found the place was like a Disco, with flashes firing everywhere and no one seemed to care! I tried to clarify this with one of the Priests, but with my limited Italian I'm not sure we were "communicating"? He just shrugged his shoulders and walked away. I don't know what the policy is for the Scavi tour at the Vatican. I suspect you WILL have to check your Camera bag, but may be allowed to carry your Camera. If you DO have to check it, be sure to remove your Memory Card. I was a bit apprehensive about checking my expensive dSLR at the Borghese Gallery, but I have to say they were very careful with it and I wouldn't have any hesitation in checking it again. Cheers!

The two places I know you will have to check a camera bag is the Borghese gallery (you can carry the camera around your neck) and for the scavi tour (again, you can carry the camera around your neclk). Both places are concerned with bags rubbing or hitting the exhibits or walls. I have never had nor heard of anyone having problems checking bags at either location. If you are concerned just leave your camera in your hotel until you finish with those sites. Other than that you should be fine to carry your bag into any site. Just be sure to obey the no photos or no flashes signs if posted. Donna

Donna, I don't mind carrying my camera around my neck as long as I can transfer it back to my bag when I leave the museum. Perhaps I can check the museum/church web sites directly to see if they have a some published info re the bag versus camera out of bag issue.

Maybe things have changed and if so I apologize but a couple years ago I did not have to check my medium-sized messenger back on the scavi tour. Camera was inside of that but it was about the same size, if not bigger, than my current DSLR bag is

I checked the Vatican and Borghese web sites and they were quite helpful.

It depends on the size and shape of the bag. If it's a normal, rectangular camera bag, they will make you check it. If it's a slimmer type bag they may let you take it inside for the scavi tour but it really depends on the guide and the bag. At the Borghese gallery all bags of this type must be checked. Again, checking a bag at either of these two sites is not a problem and I've never heard of anything being taken or broken. It's a very easy procedure and since you're not allowed to take photos at either site you may as well check your bags and not worry about it. I was hesitant the first time I checked my expensive camera equipment but now it's nice not to have to lug it around when I know I won't be able to use it. Donna

Donna, Isn't the checked baggage somewhere further away from the scavi entrance? Our tour starts at 9am, and i read somwhere that the checked baggage opens at 9, so i'm wondering how i would have time to check my camera.

The baggage check area is on the right side of the basilica and the entry for the scavi tour is on the left. They are not really that far apart. Here is a pic that should help: http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Exterior/SP-Square-Area.htm Number 21 is the entry for the scavi and number 22 is the entry for baggage check. If your tour is at the same time the baggage check area opens I would suggest leaving your larger bags in the hotel and getting them later. You will be allowed to carry your camera with you but they won't allow large bags inside and will deny you entry if you have one. Donna

Donna, very nice St Peter's Basilica site; thanks! Jim, unless your gear looks like a professional set-up (not for personal use), except for the VERY few above-mentioned sites I don't expect you to be 'forced' to check your bag. And while I'm sure it must happen, I've never heard of anybody's belongings being stolen. The bags are very often placed in cubicles in full view; whoever was doing the pilfering would be in full view, also. Besides, most of these places (bag checking required or not) are so busy no one would have time to go through your goodies. And I hear ya about the 'discos'...Honey, 'NO FLASH' means YOU!!!