  UBGVRI photometry for the open cluster NGC 2506 is presented. From comparison
of the observed colour-magnitude diagrams with simulations based on stellar
evolutionary models we derive in a self consistent way reddening, distance, and
age of the cluster: E(B-V)=0-0.07, (m-M)o = 12.6, age = 1.5-2.2 Gyr. The
cluster shows a well definite secondary sequence, suggesting that binary
systems constitute about 20 % of the cluster members visible in the
colour-magnitude diagram.
