Museum Logistics and Etiquette

We were to all those museums about a month ago. The Borghese was the only one with a time limit-and it is small enough to do in 2 hours. The Academia, as a I recall, allowed "no flash", the Uffizi, no cameras and the Vatican, some yes,some no. No cameras at the Borghese,either. That's my recollection, it all is a bit of a blur-and i always took my camera, but didn't use it unless allowed.

Thanks, Jeff. I appreciate your comments. Since you were at all of those, how much time would you budget at each museum? I suppose it all depends on how much you look at art, but on average, how much time would you dedicate to each?

David, You're correct regarding the time limit at the Galleria Borghese. Visitors must reserve their tours, and are allowed a two-hour "window" - that's it! I'm not aware of any time limits at the Uffizi, Accademia or Vatican Museums. Regarding photography this is definitely prohibited at the Borghese. In fact, if you're carrying a DSLR or larger Camera, you'll be required to check it before starting the tour (along with just about anything else you're carrying including Daypacks, Purses, bags, etc.). Even if you have a small P&S Camera in your pocket, there are Guards and CCTV in every room, so pictures are NOT allowed. I can't recall the rules on photography at the other Museums? I normally assume that flash photography is prohibited at any exhibits of paintings, as the light degrades the quality of the paintings. However, you'll probably notice some morons that haven't figured out how to operate their Cameras "flashing away" despite the rules. Cheers!

I spent several hours in the Uffizi so if there was a time limit they never caught me. I just double checked my photo archives and there is just one from the Uffizi so I can infer that shooting was verbotten. I would have a zillion shots from in there. But I know that I did not need to check my camera up front: I "stole" a photo out the window toward the Arno. I did not check my camera at the Academia. I am so ignorant of that era in art that it never occurred to me to take any pictures. I never saw a time limit; but I was inside for just an hour. Where they do not require me to check the camera, I nevertheless always ask a docent posso fotografare senza flash and they bravely pretend that my fractured Italian does not hurt their ears.

Damage by flash photography is more likely an urban legend than a fact. A quite detailed paper on the subject: http://people.pwf.cam.ac.uk/mhe1000/musphoto/flashphoto.htm However, I am finding curators not to be the type that want to receive free advice from a tourist regarding a legend held as a matter of religion among their kin :-). Just help us avoid their lairs, and we'll all be happy!

All museums and galleries will have their photography policy listed on site. For the Vatican it depends on the room you're in. You cannot use flash photography but you can use non-flash photography in most rooms. You are not allowed to take any photos or video in the Sistine chapel. The Borghese does set a 2 hour time limit and you'll have no problems seeing the entire gallery in that time. You must check all bags, big or small, and there is no photography or video taping allowed. There are no time limits to the museums or galleries you mention, other than the one you already know of. Just be sure to look for the signs upon entering the buildings and different rooms of the buildings. The signs are very easy to see and read. Donna

@Yamaplos - I don't know whether or not flash photography damages art, but it certainly annoys your fellow tourists. And a guest, even a paying guest, should surely be willing to obey the local rules.

The Borghese is the only museum with a time limit. As to how long to plan for the others, the Accademia is about 30 minutes depending on what special exhibition is there and if it interests you. But it's pretty much just the David and a few other pieces. The Uffizi is 2-4 hours depending on your tolerance for art and if you use an audio guide. There is a cafe if you need a break and the audio guide allows you to skip over art you're not interested in. The Vatican is about the same timeframe as the Uffizi. Though some people practically run through the museum just to see the Sistine Chapel at the end. As to the issue of flash, I guess it's museums and curators around the world versus one, non-academic, online paper. I think I know who will win...

There's no time limit at the Uffizi or Academia. Photos are banned inside, but they're happy for you to take pictures outside of the gallery through the windows. The Uffizi has excellent views of the Arno and Ponte Vechhio, in particular.

Mathew, is photography prohibited at both the Uffizi and Accademia, or just one of the two? Is it possible to get a photograph of David?

@Kathy, I entirely agree about being kind to others. As I put in a post elsewhere, if the tale about art damage is a silly lie too oft repeated by professionals who should know better, told to people who come thousands of miles to visit their museums to learn from them, the intense flash of light is quite distracting, at best, and actually can damage people - I used to have horrible migraines started by a reflection of the sun, or a sudden light, and had to be very careful in family meetings where people used flash (I'm better now, thanks). About there being rules, I simply respectfully opt, and suggest to others, to partake of countries and museums that have rules that make sense, where photography itself is allowed. I do not suggest people should break rules, except of course under duress, etc (I am a big admirer of the Resistance). Often photography is not permitted, not even without flash, and that I find silly and avaricious, and a good reason to look elsewhere. Just like you rather prefer an hotel or restaurant where you are welcome, rather than one where they treat you as a rich American that can be taken for a ride. Europe has plenty of friendly opportunities!
and I am sure that Florence itself does. There's the Galileo Museum, the National Library, and the river itself, the architecture, the landscapes, etc. Of course, each one is free to make his own choices, and I agree that if you pay to not be allowed to take pictures, you should not take them! But please, don't blame me for the fact that these experts are clueless as to this basic fact of science. Makes you wonder what else they got wrong :-) A best trip to y'all!

I rarely take photographs in museums. Certainly, WRT the big western European museums, anything worth being photographed already has been, by professionals, and the photos are often up on the web these days. I really don't see the point of taking another one, I'd rather just enjoy the pictures/objects. But then I've never understood the urge to have your photo taken in front of things, either.