Italian archaeological sites open for summer night visits

Italian archaeological sites are offering evening openings this summer, allowing visitors to explore ancient ruins without daytime crowds. In Rome, the Forums of Augustus and Caesar feature 'Viaggi nell'Antica Roma,' a virtual reality tour narrated by Piero Angela, which has attracted over 520,000 people in four years. The event runs until November 11, 2018, and is produced by Zètema Progetto Cultura for Roma Capitale. Also in Rome, the southern slopes of the Palatine Hill reopen after being closed since 2000, offering 90-minute guided walks at sunset until August 31, 2018, evoking Goethe's 1786 journey. In Agrigento, the Valley of the Temples offers night tours until September 16, 2018, exploring temples of Hera, Concordia, Heracles, and Olympian Zeus, illuminated after dark. Pompeii hosts 'Passeggiate Archeologiche' until September 28, 2018, focusing on the Forum area, with musical performances on the Antiquarium terrace starting in September, organized with Scabec – Regione Campania under 'Campania by night.' These initiatives aim to attract both tourists and locals to rediscover Italy's cultural heritage.