The Pantheon, one of Rome’s oldest and most famous monuments, will soon start paying for visitors, prompting mixed reactions from tourists on Thursday, Reuters and News.ro reported.

Queues near the Pantheon, entrance is free on the last daysPhoto: Fabio Frustaci / Zuma Press / Profimedia

The price of the ticket has not yet been confirmed, but “it will not exceed €5”, the Italian Ministry of Culture announced, and minors and residents will be exempt.

Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said the change was “based on common sense” and the price would be “modest” for Italy’s most visited cultural site.

Entrance to the Pantheon is currently free, although reservations are required during peak hours, and long queues are not uncommon here.

The deadline for making the entrance fee was not specified.

The 2,000-year-old building is currently a consecrated church, and part of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Diocese of Rome.

Most of the money – 70 percent – ​​will go to the Ministry of Culture, which will cover cleaning and maintenance costs.

Reaction to the news was mixed among tourists who visited the Pantheon on Thursday.

“It makes sense. Conservation takes money, and it doesn’t shock me that it encourages tourists to contribute,” said Gustavo Rojas, a 37-year-old Chilean.

However, Alessandra Mezzasalma, a 46-year-old Italian guide, told AFP she was “disgraceful”.

“The Pantheon and historical monuments in general are collective property and should remain open to all. The culture should be as inclusive as possible,” she said.

“If I had to pay, we wouldn’t have gone in,” said Clara Dupont, a 21-year-old French tourist.

Rome’s other major churches, including St. Peter’s Basilica, are free to visit, but museums and monuments such as the Colosseum charge a fee.

The Pantheon is famous for its extraordinary dome, which is 43 meters in diameter and contains a circular opening through which light and sometimes rain fall.

It was built as a temple in the 1st century BC. before being completely rebuilt under Emperor Hadrian in the early 2nd century AD.

After falling into disrepair, the building was given new life after it was consecrated as a church in the 7th century under Pope Boniface IV.