Pantheon soon to require an Admission Fee

I think that's fine, Italy's monuments are less expensive to visit than those in some other countries.

The Pantheon is an active church; I wonder how that will work logistically, apart from closing for Mass.

It will probably be like San Marco in Venice. Free for Mass and services. But, a fee for admission otherwise. Frari Church in Venice charges a fee. I don't think San Marco charges a fee for the nave area - but, there are fees for various sections.

It's a good idea. I was always amazed it was free. Timed entry wouldn't be a bad idea, either as it gets so crowded.

Makes me sad. My favorite building and when in Rome I visit it every day. Rome does not have a good museum pass system like Paris does, and so repeated visits would be expensive.

My favorite building, too.

Perhaps the RomaPass will include it; up to now, working churches were not on the Pass. Still, that would only give you one admission.

A friends-of-Roma card? High price but good for an extended length of time and no limit on return visits?

Oh yes, Zoe and Jane! Roma needs a good pass. The "RomaPass" is ridiculous. Paris' pass is the best. More cities should model that program.

Sorry to hear this. The Pantheon easily accommodated hundreds when I was there a couple of months ago and it was a stress-free visit. No queues, no X-ray machine, no charge. There was ample room to sit down on the pews. I actually went twice, once in the morning and once in the evening. Glad I got in a couple more free visits before the change.

I always said the Pantheon in Rome was man's most stunning creation that you didn't have to pay a dime to see close up.

Hmmm, I will have to stop in when I'm nearby visiting the Caravaggios at San Luigi next month.

I didn't know there was a fee to enter San Marco - thought it only cost for the museum?

The Pantheon easily accommodated hundreds when I was there a couple of
months ago and it was a stress-free visit. No queues, no X-ray
machine, no charge. There was ample room to sit down on the pews.

Wow. that wasn't the case the last time we were there. The place was wall-to-wall humans; very crowded.
It doesn't bother me to have to pay a fee either as so much of Rome is already fee-free (try seeing anything at ALL free in, say, Amsterdam) and some other entry $ are very reasonable. Contributing my fair share for what I add to the general wear-and- tear and for security personnel is OK.

I'll agree about the Paris Museum Pass; probably the best one we've ever purchased along with the sadly revised Friends of the Uffizi family membership. That one used to be a good buy if you were staying in Florence longer than a few days and wanted to see enough of what it covered. It also had allowed unlimited visits to the many museums it used to include under the pass.

Pantheon is owned by the Catholic Church. I don't know if it is a diocesan property or a Vatican property. Any fees would go to the Catholic Church and not the Roman government. I actually wish the Vatican would sell a "fast pass" as an option for quick entry into St. Peter's Basilica.

We used the Uffizi friends thing years ago and it was wonderful. We stayed outside Porta Romana and walked through the Boboli Gardens every day into town -- the pass got us in the gate at the back each day. We could also just walk into the Uffizi, Academia and other Museums on the list without reservations. Great system.

Something like the Paris Museum Pass that gives unlimited repeat access over a fixed time would be great for Rome. THe Roma Pass is silly and complicated -- charge more, but make it simple.

no big deal they got to do it to preserve it and for security; the foreign tourists can afford it

The museum pass is Amsterdam is fabulous. One fee, mostly free entry to all museums (the Stedelijk charged an extra 5€) and good for one year!

The museum pass is Amsterdam is fabulous. One fee, mostly free entry
to all museums (the Stedelijk charged an extra 5€) and good for one
year!

If it's the Museumkaart you're talking about, it's no longer good for a year unless you're a Dutch citizen. It's still a pretty good buy and especially so if you have the time to travel outside Amsterdam within its 31-day life.

http://www.amsterdamtourist.info/tips/amsterdamdiscount-cards/

Our specific problem last we were in Amsterdam was that so many attractions/museums were closed for renovation and there were too many others included in different passes we didn't really care to see. The Rijks was partially open but didn't provide a separate line for card/pass-holders, something those holders were definitely not happy about!

Too bad but makes sense.
Always amazed me it was completely free to enter.

We stayed in the piazza one time directly overlooking it and I must have gone in at least twice each day since it was right there, so easy and the light coming in from the top always made it look a little different inside each time.
I would go only slower hours when there was no line or big crowds inside.

I also think that every venue in Italy (church, palace, museum) should charge according to demand on some congestion pricing basis, just like airlines. Want to visit in June or July: 100 euro to see the Uffizi or the Vatican museums (that is still cheaper than Disneyworld). Want to visit in January? 10 euro only. That would eliminate crowds and long lines too.

€100 per visit would mean I would never be sble to see the Uffizi or the Vatican Museums again. But more sights should be regulated for number of visitors at one time. Every sight in Italy could double its admission cost and still be a bargain.

Zoe.

If theme parks, sports events, Broadway plays or rock concerts can charge $100+ per person, why not major museums?

Somehow people are willing to pay those prices to see a lousy rock band or a boring ball game under the rain, but fret about the prospect of having to pay those amounts to spend a day at the Louvre or Uffizi.

And I'm not saying those prices should be in place all the time, but at least during the crowded times of the year. In January, they could drop significantly. Isn't it how airlines and hotels structure their prices?

Roberto, there is a difference between the price structuring you describe for events, and making reasonably priced availability to a universal patrimony.

I can't afford $100+ tickets to concerts and I don't go to theme parks. Or perhaps I could afford them, but I would have to travel less; not happening. Perhaps when I am too frail to travel I'll go to a Kiss concert.

As a college professor with a specific time frame for travel, I can't just hop over to the Uffizi to score a lower-priced ticket.

I am saying prices should be raised somewhat. I also think that museums and archeological sights and churches subscribe to a different ethic regarding mission and purpose than airlines and rock concert promoters. Apples to apples and oranges to oranges, please.

Fondly,

Zoe.

We've never paid €100 apiece for a concert, sporting event (not that we go to any of those) or attraction so that would be out of our range as well. :O(

Why couldn't they do something like the Borghese with timed entry limited to X number of people?

Zoe - love your comment about the KISS concert. Just think - when you are "too frail," imagine what condition the members of KISS will be in. Gene Simmons will need a walker and orthopedic shoes. I bet those concert tickets will be CHEAP!

Instead of crazy high prices I support the Borghese Gallery model. The Alhambra in Spain does this too.
Maybe combined with 100E tickets for those who arrive same day with no reservations ;)
This lets locals and tourists who really care to visit the place the ability to see it at a normal price, because they book ahead. It limits crowds, makes July the same as January (if only x people are allowed and it sells out...every day will be the same crowd level).