As summer arrives, museums and cultural sites brace for a surge of visitors eager to delve into art and history. Yet, recent incidents – such as a chair designed by artist Nicola Bolla damaged at Palazzo Maffei in Verona or a late 18th-century painting by Anton Domenico Gabbiani harmed at the Uffizi in Florence, both due to clumsy selfies – have highlighted a growing issue: a lack of proper decorum in museums. To address this, Libreriamo, the digital media platform dedicated to culture enthusiasts, has collaborated with some of Italy’s leading museum directors to compile the “Museum Etiquette Guide,” a set of eleven straightforward yet essential rules to ensure a respectful visit and safeguard artistic treasures for future generations. Italian museums, which welcomed over 60 million visitors in the summer of 2024 according to the Ministry of Culture, remain immensely popular, with forecasts predicting even higher attendance in 2025. However, the influx of tourists, coupled with the ubiquitous use of social media, has led to accidents that jeopardize priceless artworks. “Museums are public spaces, but they demand respect for the environment and fellow visitors,” explains Saro Trovato, sociologist and founder of Libreriamo. “We’ve gathered insights from museum directors to create a guide that helps visitors enjoy art without turning their visit into a farcical misadventure.” Among the key recommendations, the guide advises travelling light: overly bulky bags can knock into artworks in confined spaces, so it’s wise to empty them of non-essentials before entering. Equally important is keeping one’s voice down to avoid disturbing others, steering clear of personal chatter or phone calls – a rule enforced at institutions like New York’s Metropolitan Museum, where answering calls is prohibited even in corridors. Consuming food, drinks, or smoking, including e-cigarettes, is strictly forbidden, as these can compromise cleanliness and damage artworks, particularly through vapour or accidental spills. Special attention is given to photography.
While taking pictures is often allowed, flashes must be disabled to prevent damage to delicate materials, and selfie sticks are best avoided to reduce the risk of mishaps. “It’s not just about snapping photos but about savouring the moment,” Trovato notes. “A picture may fade into oblivion, but the emotion of an artwork lingers forever.” Lingering too long in front of a piece or cutting across others’ views is considered poor form, as is leaning against walls, which house paintings and must remain untouched. Simone Verde, director of the Uffizi, decries the rise of “art’s ill-mannered visitors,” such as those damaging works in pursuit of memes or selfies. “We will impose strict limits on behaviours incompatible with respecting cultural heritage,” he declares. Marina Pugliese, director of Milan’s MUDEC, adds that overtourism and the obsession with social media create a volatile mix, particularly in museums hosting millions annually. “Museums have strived to be welcoming and inclusive, but now face unforeseen challenges tied to fragmented attention spans,” she observes.
Finally, the guide urges visitors to mind their step, respecting restricted areas, and to resist the urge to touch artworks, even when tempted by the allure of a Bernini or Michelangelo sculpture. “The ‘Do Not Touch’ sign ought to be redundant, yet many seem to disregard it,” Trovato concludes. By adhering to these simple rules, visitors can help preserve artistic heritage and ensure their museum experience is nothing short of splendid, avoiding any blunders worthy of a Fantozzi comedy.
