The Rome Pantheon is one of the Eternal City’s best-loved attractions, and a frequent stop on any Rome city tour. In previous years, the Pantheon has been free to enter; however, it has recently been announced that, from mid-2018 onwards, a small entry fee will be charged.
From 18th May 2018, entry to the Rome Pantheon will be charged at €2 per ticket.
The decision to begin charging for entry to this historical monument was announced by Dario Franceschini, Minister of Cultural Heritage, and was agreed by the Vicariate and the Minister of Cultural Heritage.
All proceeds will go to the Minister of Cultural Heritage to finance the continued protection and enhancement of this historical monument.
However, it seems not all were in favour of this new proposition. The Vice Mayor and Councilor for Culture, Luca Bergamo, was one such individual and he had the following to say:
“It is a sad moment, produced by the idea that the enjoyment of art is mainly the prerogative of tourism rather than a vehicle for the formation of people and their well-being”.
The Minister of Cultural Heritage gave no reply to this comment but did, however, specify that this new arrangement will not extend to other religious buildings beyond the Pantheon. Franceschini also affirmed that access to the Pantheon will continue to be free for worship and religious activities.
About Rome Pantheon
This famous Roman monument is one of the Eternal City’s top attractions, known for its imposing architecture and intricate decoration.
In modern times, the Pantheon attracts over 7 million visitors a year, with some days seeing 30,000 visitors enjoying this Rome attraction, making it among the most visited monuments in Italy.
The building has, in fact, long been a major tourist centre, ideal for a Rome tour. However, it was originally commissioned by Marcus Agrippa in 27 BC as a building dedication to all past, present and future deities.
The Rome Pantheon is located in the Pigna district of Rome, close to many other Rome attractions, such as Piazza Navona and the Trevi Fountain.
What do you think about this recent change to one of Rome’s most famous monument? Perhaps all that can be done for the moment is to wait and see if this entry charge discourages visitors to the Pantheon or, as it is hoped, helps preserve this precious monument.
Free or not, if you’re looking to include the Rome Pantheon on your next Rome holiday, get in touch with our Italy travel experts today. We create hand-crafted Italy multi-centre holidays for any occasion and, as a part of our service, we can pre-arrange tours and activities for you so that you can make the most of your holiday in Rome. Contact us via our online form or call us at 61 2 9056 7018 to find out more about our award-winning service.
