Tourists Will Soon Having to Pay an Entrance Fee to Visit the Pantheon

Piazza della Rotonda, Rome, Italy
Piazza della Rotonda, Rome, Italy. Photo by Gabriella Clare Marino on Unsplash

Rome is at the top of millions of bucket and it’s easy to see why. The Italian capital is home to a variety of sights, including the Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, and Colosseum.  

Amongst the list of must-see spots is the Pantheon. The ancient Roman temple has been around since 125 AD, after being rebuilt following a fire, and is the burial place of several members of Italian royalty. 

As Italy’s most-visited cultural site, the Pantheon welcomed 9.3 million visitors in 2019. Having always been free, tourists are now set to be charged an entry fee.

The matter was brought under consideration 5 years ago, but was shelved by the previous government. Incumbent Culture Minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, revived the proposal and an agreement was signed by government and church officials on March 16. Praising the arrangement, Sangiuliano said it was based on common sense. 

Under the new agreement, tourists will be charged a €5 entrance fee. The proceeds will then be divided by Culture Ministry which will take 70 percent, and the diocese of Rome which will get the remaining 30 percent.

The Pantheon is still in use as a Catholic Church, with the move serving as a breakaway from the Roman custom of not charging entrance fees for churches. 

However, a few concessions have been made. 

Residents of Rome will still be able to visit the landmark for free, as will those attending religious services. Under-18s will also get in without paying, while visitors younger than 25 will be charged a discounted rate of €2.