Ancient Roman Pantheon to start charging entry from Monday

Ronan — Thu, 06 Jul 2023 05:50:10 +0000

Visitors to Rome's Pantheon, one of the ancient world's best-preserved monuments, will have to pay a 5 euro (NZ$8.75) entrance fee from Monday, Italy's tourism ministry has said.

Now a church, the vast cylindrical former temple whose undamaged exterior wall supports a 43.3 metre-high (142 ft) dome, attracts millions of visitors every year, making it one of Italy's top tourist draws.

The long-delayed introduction of a charge is part of a drive to squeeze more profit from Italy's cultural assets. The tourism ministry is set to receive 70% of the revenue to help cover cleaning and maintenance. The rest will go to the Diocese of Rome.

Rome's ancient Pantheon to charge entrance fee for the first time

Ronan — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 04:50:02 +0000

Tourists in Rome checking out the Pantheon, Italy's most-visited cultural site, will soon be charged a 5-euro (NZ$8.50) entrance fee under an agreement signed Thursday by Italian culture and church officials.

Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said the move was a matter of "good sense." The introduction of an entrance fee comes five years after a previous government shelved plans to start charging visitors 2 euros.

Proceeds will be split, with the culture ministry receiving 70% and the Rome diocese 30%, officials said.

The monumental domed structure, originally an ancient Roman temple, draws millions of visitors each year. It was transformed into a church in 609, called the Basilica of St Mary and the Martyrs, and Mass is regularly celebrated there.

Rome's ancient Pantheon to charge entrance fee for the first time

Pantheon entry fee - CathNews New Zealand

Ancient Roman Pantheon to start charging entry from Monday

Rome's ancient Pantheon to charge entrance fee for the first time