Pantheon remains free, minister Bonisoli announces. Applause but also criticism

Rome ’s Pantheon will remain free admission: former minister Dario Franceschini, in fact, had proposed the introduction of a paid ticket, which, however, never came into effect. Now the minister of cultural heritage, Alberto Bonisoli, contrary to his predecessor, expresses his intention to keep the monument free of charge. “The Pantheon will remain free,” he declared. “Contrary to what was established by my predecessor in 2017, no ticket will be introduced. Such a measure would have limited the traditional freedom of access in the capital’s churches of worship and created, moreover, a caesura between the monument and the square, which have always been perceived, by the Romans and not only, as a harmonious unique whole, to be enjoyed without barriers. I have therefore activated the relevant Mibac Offices so that they will follow up, as soon as possible, in agreement with the Vicariate, on this intention.”

The minister drew applause from his party colleagues in the 5 Star Movement and also from some insiders. “I’m really happy,” commented Rome’s councillor for cultural growth Luca Bergamo: “it’s a battle that began a year ago to oppose the introduction of an entrance fee on a monument that belongs to everyone and must remain everyone’s.” He was echoed by Mayor Virgina Raggi: “I thank the Minister of Cultural Heritage Alberto Bonisoli for this good news,” she specified. “For Rome it is important to maintain free access to places of worship and culture without creating barriers between the square and the monument.” On the part of the sector’s operators, the Mi riconosci collective, which has always opposed the hypothesis of a paid Pantheon, expresses satisfaction: “Heritage,” they write on their Facebook page, “must be made more accessible, not more exclusionary. That is why we can only applaud the decision to keep access to the monument free.”

Not of the same opinion is Rome City Councilor Giovanni Zannola of the PD, who even speaks of a “Marchetta” on the part of the minister and declares, “Minister Bonisoli has nothing better to do than to bend to the whims of Deputy Mayor Bergamo, who in past years has launched into an absurd crusade against a symbolic payment for entry to the Pantheon (from which residents could at most be excluded). At a time when in the Manoeuvre under discussion in the Houses of Parliament the government majority of which Minister Bonisoli is a member is thinking of stinging those who buy a hatchback (not being able to afford more expensive cars), to give up precious resources from the millions of tourists who visit the Pantheon every year, one of the most visited monuments in Italy and Europe, is inexplicable and incomprehensible, of a very low level especially if resources to be reinvested in culture are given up.”

Photo: the Pantheon. Ph. Credit Roberta Dragan

Pantheon remains free, minister Bonisoli announces. Applause but also criticism

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