Is it allowed to take photographs?
see poh-SOH-noh FA-reh foh-toh-GRA-fee-eh. Note the plural 'si possono' because photographs (fotografie) is plural.
Ask at the entrance or before photographing a specific piece. Rules vary greatly between museums and even between rooms within the same museum.
Si possono is the impersonal plural form — si può for singular subjects, si possono for plural. Fotografie is the plural of fotografia. Flash photography (il flash) is almost universally banned.
Posso fare una foto senza flash?
Can I take a photo without flash?
Often flash is banned even where photos are allowed.
È permesso fotografare questa sala?
Is it permitted to photograph this room?
Room-specific question using 'permesso'.
Posso usare il treppiede?
Can I use a tripod?
Tripods are usually banned or require special permission.
The Vatican Museums prohibit photography in the Sistine Chapel, though this rule is widely ignored. Staff do announce the ban in multiple languages. In the Uffizi, photography is generally permitted without flash.