The art museums in Pienza, the truffle museum in San Giovanni d'Asso, the Mezzadria museum in Buonconvento and the Etruscan museum in Murlo all have decided to join the European museum night on the 18th of May.
Food, art and Etruscan heritage lovers can visit the museums for FREE on Saturday night. If you drive as fast as the Italians, you may even be able to combine two free museum visits in one night.
The truffle museum in San Giovanni d'Asso grants free access from 8 - 10 pm. This interactive visit is not just for foodies, but great fun with kids too. The Mezzadria museum in Buonconvento, which tells the story of Tuscany's sharecroppers, can be visited from 9 - 11 pm. This is another great visit for kids - at least if yours stay up as late as our Italian ones (if in Buonconvento on Saturday also check out the Mille Miglia website - the oldtimers will roll through town from around 11 am).
The archaeology museum in Murlo near Buonconvento organizes a star gazing the Etruscan way (from 9 pm), and the art museum at Palazzo Borgia in Pienza will not just open its doors at night time, but also tie in a dance performance (Zbandaj Ballet at 9.30 pm and at 11am, 3.30 and 5.30 pm on Sunday).
Last but not least, there is Montalcino's sacred art museum. No nighttime opening from what I can see (these people probably have to be back in the vineyards early in the morning), but a vernissage from 5 to 7 pm with local artist Carlotta Parisi, who will present her installation called 'Nunziatina' in the museum's Sant'Agostino courtyard (last time I was there world class wine journalists were slurping Brunello).
Carlotta's work will be at the museum till the end of October. The Montalcino born artist and illustrator also has a little studio and shop near the town's cathedral (via Spagni, 57), where you can find lots of bric-à-brac, some of it made with used wine corks (not surprising she came up with that one in Brunello town).
Still looking for more freebies? Three of Siena's art museums have joined the crowd, so you better hit the gas pedal.
Still looking for more freebies? Three of Siena's art museums have joined the crowd, so you better hit the gas pedal.