The Pantheon now requires tourists to pay entry fee
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy will now require visitors to pay up before entering.
The Italian Minister of Tourism announced that patrons of the famous Pantheon will be required to pay a €5 entry fee. The decision spawned from a national effort to accrue revenue from the country’s cultural and historic sites. According to Travel Noire, the entry fee was put into effect to help with funding the Pantheon’s cleaning and maintenance. Seventy percent of funds will be reserved for these purposes, while the remaining funds will be allocated to the Diocese of Rome. Individuals attending religious services at the Pantheon will not be asked to pay the fee.
The Pantheon, one of the world’s most well-preserved monuments, dates back to 117 A.D. The structure has six-meter thick walls and is also known for containing the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. The Pantheon has maintained its integrity, having withstood the invasion of the Barbarians. Its cultural and historical significance was further cemented as it was utilized as a Chrsitian church.
The Pantheon isn’t the only historical site in Rome that requires a fee to enter. The Colosseum has a €16 entry fee for adults and a €6 fee for children up to 17 years old. Guided tours and audio tours are also available at an additional cost. St. Peter’s Basilica is another monument that has fees associated with it. While it is free to visit, a guided tour is recommended. Tours range from €39 to €49.
For tourists who want to do it all when in Rome, the Rome Tourist Card is also available for purchase. The digital pass, which costs €108, grants passholders access to various attractions including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill with multimedia experiences, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. The pass also allows tourists to skip lines and utilize an audio guide while touring the monuments of their choosing.
Roshae Hemmings is an arts and culture magazine journalist from St. Louis, MO. A graduate from the Missouri School of Journalism, Roshae has bylines in the Columbia Missourian, Vox Magazine and 5280 Magazine discussing topics ranging from pop culture, social justice and eat and drink. She is a foodie at heart and enjoys eating food as much as learning about the story behind it. You can reach Roshae via email at roshaehemmings@detourxp.com.