Tourists in Rome checking out the Pantheon, Italy’s most visited cultural site, will be charged a 5-euro ($5.28) entrance fee under an agreement signed Thursday by Italian culture and church officials.
Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said the move made “good sense.” The introduction of the entrance fee comes five years after the previous government shelved plans to start charging visitors 2 euros.
The proceeds will be split, with the ministry of culture receiving 70% and the diocese of Rome 30%, officials said.
The monumental domed structure, originally an ancient Roman temple, attracts millions of visitors every year. It was converted into a church in 609, called the Basilica of St.
Under the new plan, visitors under the age of 25 will be charged 2 euros. Entrance will be free for the citizens of Rome, minors, people attending Mass and personnel of the basilica, etc.
No date has been given for the introduction of the fee, as officials are working on technical details. Currently, entry is free and reservations are required on weekends and public holidays.