Tourists will soon no longer be able to visit the most visited cultural object in Italy – the Pantheon in Rome – for free.
As The Independent writes, now you will have to pay 5 euros to visit the Roman “Temple of All Gods”. Visitors under the age of 25 will be charged €2, while children, residents of Rome, basilica staff, and people attending church masses will be free.
Italy’s culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, called the decision “a modest fee for a ticket to the most visited cultural site in Italy” and a display of “common sense”.
The debate over paying to visit the Roman Pantheon has been raging for several years. Five years ago, the previous Italian government planned to introduce a fee for visiting the attraction for 2 euros, but as a result, abandoned the idea. Entrance to the Pantheon is currently free, but reservations are required on weekends and holidays.
What is the Pantheon in Rome?
The Pantheon in Rome, also known as the “Temple of All Gods”, is considered a landmark in the history and architecture of ancient Rome. It was built in the 2nd century AD, and since then it has been repeatedly rebuilt and supplemented. At the beginning of the 7th century, the temple was consecrated as the Christian basilica of Saint Mary and the Martyrs.
As reported by DIP, Italy, which is considered one of the most popular European countries among tourists, has been struggling with excessive tourism for several years. So, in the summer of 2022, Italian Venice became the first city in the world to charge tourists for visiting. Soon Italy also introduced a fee for visiting the two most picturesque beaches – Cala Coticcio and Cala Brigantine in Sardinia.