Entry to the Pantheon, one of Italy's most popular churches, will become fee-based starting in May 2018, according to El Pais.
The Italian Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced that from May 2, 2018, admission to Rome's Pantheon will cost 2 euros. All proceeds will be donated The proceeds will be directed to the foundation for the restoration and protection of monuments. The money will be used for repairs, maintenance of the monument, and ensuring the safety of tourists. This change will not apply to those attending religious ceremonies at the temple.
Officials explained that the introduction of an entrance fee is due to the fact that Italy has many cultural and artistic monuments listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and their maintenance is a significant burden on the treasury.
The Pantheon welcomes over 7 million tourists annually, or about 30,000 per day, surpassing the Colosseum. Built between 118 and 125 AD under Emperor Hadrian, it is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman monuments. Its distinctive feature is the circular opening in the center of the dome, 9 meters in diameter. This is the only source of light inside the temple. The artist Raphael Sanzio and the Italian kings Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I are buried within the Pantheon.
The Pantheon is located in the center of Rome, surrounded by Piazza Navona and the churches of Sant'Ignazio di Loyola and Santa Maria sopra Minerva. It can be reached by the red A line of the Rome Metro, stopping at the Barberini station. Buses 30, 40, 62, and 64 also stop nearby. The temple is open to visitors daily from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. It is least crowded during the first hour after opening.
Source: news.turizm.ru