Can someone clarify for me whether I will have to "check" (as in leave with an attendant) a purse at the Colosseum, Vatican, St. Marks Basilica or Doge's Palace? I see on websites that they have to be checked but not sure if that just means inspected. Thank you!
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
All bags go through a security check; whether you can carry a bag inside depends on its size (a messenger bag usually is okay).
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16762 posts
Not at the Colosseum or Vatican unless it's very large (and there are no bag check facilities at the Colosseum). All bags are checked by security at both, however.
Posted by
OP
133 posts
Thank you!
Posted by
Chicago
8703 posts
With today's security concerns a messenger bag may be an issue; if there is a woman in the group, it is my experience that I can carry bags into places that my husband is not allowed to carry. A guard will see a woman with a messenger bag as carrying a purse and a man as carrying 'a bag' and they want bags checked. Whenever we tour a site with security I carry the messenger bag and have not yet had it stopped. (not been to the colosseum since the recent heightened security however) A small purse isn't going to be an issue, a messenger bag depending on how it reads to the security people may or may not.
Posted by
Vignola, MO, IT
711 posts
Doge's Palace (last week) they check the size of your purse. If too big have to check it otherwise told you carry in front of you. Nothing said at St. Mark's.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32405 posts
Given the current security climate, Backpacks/Daypacks will be the most problematic. Small Purses or Messenger Bags should be fine in most cases, but of course will have to be inspected which in some cases will mean airport-style X-Ray scanners. The strictest restrictions that I've found were at the Borghese Gallery, where just about everything had to be checked including my DSLR camera, but I've heard that has been relaxed somewhat now.