List of sites that allow cameras

The places that don't allow pictures will have a sign with a camera with an X over it or a bar over the camera. No worries.

Cool thanks. Does that mean that I'm not allowed to take cameras in at all or just that I can take one in but can't take pictures? I'd imagine it means I can't take one it at all.

Usually, you can take the camera in, even where photos are prohibited. Italy seems to have more art museums (than other countries) where photos are prohibited.

There are 4 types of situations: 1) no photos of any type, including video; 2) no still photos of any type but video is allowed; 3) still photos are allowed but not with a flash or tripod; and 4) (rarely in Italy) no restrictions of any type.

James,

I don't know of any "lists" of sites that prohibit Cameras. As a previous post mentioned, there's usually a sign at the door that specifies either "No Photographs" or "No Flash Permitted". Most locations prohibit Tripods. The only location that I know of the requests larger Cameras to be checked is the Borghese Gallery in Rome (they wouldn't allow me to even carry my dSLR, but they didn't say anything at all about the P&S that was visible in my shirt pocket).

Even in locations that prohibit all photos, you can normally still pack it along. Except for the above example, I've never been denied entry because I was carrying a Camera.

It's quite common to see visitors "cheating" and taking not only photos but also flash photos. I try to respect the rules and won't do that, even if I can get away with it. There are some places that cheating is NOT possible, such as the Borghese Gallery. There are Attendants in each room as well as numerous CCTV Cameras. Anyone cheating would likely be subjected to an embarrassing exit from the Gallery (something I don't want to experience)!

Happy travels!

Thank you for all of the replies. I just planned on carrying a point and shoot camera and video camera with me most of the time. I didn't want to be turned away from entering simply because I was carrying a camera. I will gladly respect their rules, it would just be somewhat of a hassle to carry a camera to a certain site then be turned away because of it then have to return to my hotel to drop the camera off. Then go back to the site. Thanks again for all of the info.

From your last post: "it would just be somewhat of a hassle to carry a camera to a certain site then be turned away because of it then have to return to my hotel to drop the camera off. Then go back to the site."

No worries, that's not going to happen. Even in museums like the Borghese that don't allow you to take a camera in, they provide a place to check it.

The guide to the synagogues in Venice asserted that Italian law forbids photography in all houses of worship.

My experience was that enforcement of this prohibition ranges from strict to non-existant.

Chani,

YES, that's been my experience too! A good example is a recent visit to the Duomo in Milan. The guards were quite specific about "No Photos!", however when I got inside there were people taking flash photos all over the place! I was carrying a large dSLR so could have taken photos without flash but I chose to respect the rules in a house of worship.

When I asked one of the Priests about this, he just shrugged his shoulders and walked away. I'm not sure what to think about that?

My experience in Italy a couple of years ago was that most sites forbidding picture taking had a sign posted -- but not all. My travel companions and I were trying to be most respectful and always looked for the signs but it didn't always work out.

Don't worry though -- no one seems to check if you're taking a camera in and if you take a photo where you shouldn't, they just tell you to stop -- they don't throw you out.

I appreciate your thoughtfulness in attempting to follow the rules for photography. I would prefer that photography in churches and museums would be limited to certain times or days. My experience is impacted by photographers planting themselves in front of a statue or painting and staying there for a long time getting the "just right" picture and blocking other people's view. Flash photography in churches/cathedrals is always a distraction to others, and is often forbidden. I've gotten to the point where I don't mind walking in front of people taking pictures. When I would have to walk around or wait half the time to enjoy a museum or church, I just go on and let the photographers work around me.

Artwork is damaged when subjected to thousands of flash photos.

One of the small frustrations of Italian Museums is that slides are no longer available at the gift shops, and they have not transitioned to Pic CDs in most places.

You'll note that there are "sitters" in many of the museum rooms. These are people on social welfare work programs and their job is basically to stop you from taking pics, touching anything, or otherwise enjoying your visit. I have to laugh sometimes when they put their finger to lips with a "shuuuush!" even if you are the only people in the whole museum and you are just talking in a normal vocal level to your partner.

No one would need to break these rules of photography if they provided a method of buying images of the items on display - which they don't. Its become my eternal question of why no Pic CDs to the poor girl volunteering at the gift shop. And it is always a she, and she always replies, "Its a good idea, I don't know why."

With this in mind, "sneaking" a few photos, WITH OUT FLASH, and in a non-detectable way, seems ethically acceptable to me, even if cameras are prohibited. I also balance the fact that they dug up thousands of Etruscan graves to put items on display - marriage rings with finger bone included. So the moral high ground has already been surrendered.

A religious site is different though. If you are asked not to take any pics, then out of respect, one should not take them, even if you COULD get away with it.