guests in Romeat least for the first time in the Eternal City, will almost certainly include in their program a visit irresistible ancient pantheonthe most visited monument in Italy.

Every year, millions of visitors explore this imposing structure, which has stood almost untouched for two millennia.

However, this visit will now have price her literally.

Cost and exclusions

Although until now the entrance was free, although the proposal of the Roman authorities for an entrance fee of two euros was rejected many years ago, now, in order to enter the famous historical monument, one must pays an amount of five euros.

“In just three months, we have set ourselves a common sense goal: to get a small ticket to the most visited cultural monument in Italy,” Gennaro Sangiuliano, the country’s new culture minister, said in a statement.

This new policy will apply to certain exceptions: Residents of Rome will still enter for free. The same applies to persons under 18 years of age, as well as teachers who will accompany students. Tourists under 25 pay 2 euros. And for those who attend worship services, which are held from time to time, admission there will also be free.

According to the Associated Press, 70% of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Ministry of Culture and the rest to the Diocese of Rome.

For many years, the Pantheon, a real architectural marvel of the Roman Empire, was the largest dome of its kind. It is 43 meters high, almost the same height as the Statue of Liberty, and how it was built is still a mystery.

The famous Oculus, the “eye” that rises above its roof, has a diameter of ten meters. From this gate, sunlight enters the sky and rain falls vertically like a waterfall.

The unimaginable has become proverbial durability of the building for thousands of years, which is partly due to the high quality materials used by the ancient Romans for its construction. “The fact that the Roman Pantheon is still standing is equally awe-inspiring and baffling,” wrote the Smithsonian Institution in 2014.

Source: Smithsonian Journal.