TO starting today to admire the Pantheon in Rome, the most visited cultural site in Italy with almost 9 million tourists, you will have to pay. The ticket will cost five euros, but Roman citizens will be excluded. The new rule is the result of the agreement signed last March 16 by the Vicariate of Rome and the Ministry of Culture.
Paid Pantheon starting today
For a long time the world of culture and the administrations have wondered about the opportunity to introduce a paid ticket for the temple founded in the Augustan age and rebuilt between 112 and 124 AD by the emperor Hadrian, and in the end it was decided yes. Access for participation in religious and cult activities will be totally free for the faithful, but not for visitors who will be warned by special signs placed outside the door.
Who does the proceeds from the tickets go to?
Culture costs: from today 5 euros to enter the Pantheon in Rome (Getty)
Of the proceeds from the ticket the 70 percent will go to the Ministry which will bear the costs of ordinary and extraordinary maintenance and cleaning, also taking into account any requests for interventions. 30 percent will go to the diocese of Romewhich will use it for charitable and cultural initiatives and for maintenance, conservation and restoration of state-owned churches present in the diocesan territory.
The minister’s idea: to charge all museums
The Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano reiterated that the proceeds from the tickets will also be used to support works for the benefit of the poor and he also envisaged the possibility of raising admission prices to all museumsstating that if something has value, it should be paid for.
Who will be able to enter the Pantheon without paying
Some exemptions will remainin any case, to visit the Pantheon: they will enter for free Romans residing in the capital, children under the age of 18, the disabled, teachers accompanying school groups, the canons of the Chapter of the Basilica, lay and religious personnel and «all the clerics and honor guards at the Royal Tombs of the Pantheon , as will be free access for the exercise of worship». Furthermore young people aged 18 to 25 will pay only 2 euros the entrance ticket.
The Rome-Pompeii train
If the news of the paid Pantheon isn’t the best, there is better news. In fact, it will leave from July 16th the Rome-Pompeii train, built with the State Railways which will take visitors directly to the excavations of Pompeii and vice versa. Inside you can also see a video that introduces the history of Pompeii and the great excavations that began with the Bourbons and you can buy the ticket to access the excavations
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