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November 13, 2006
Vatican Museum changes
Kind of complicated - the Vatican Museums, are, of course, a huge draw in Rome (the Sistine Chapel being a part of it - the only way you can see the Sistine Chapel is through the Vatican Museum). The lines are generally long and the crowds pressing. The Museums have announced a change that involves only admitting tour groups until 10, at which point individual tourists will be admitted - along with a hike in the price of tickets. Heated discussion at the SlowTrav board here, with people asking the question - why not a reservations system and, you know...extend the hours (especially in the winter, when the last entrance is at 12:20, believe it or not. )
Posted by Amy Welborn | Permalink
Comments
Something needs to be done, but only admitting individuals between 10 and 12:20 during the winter months doesn't seem like the best thing. Another thing, is that they should recognize Student IDs other than ISIC!
Posted by: Brian at Nov 13, 2006 1:26:00 PM
I wish they'd be better about the student ID thing, but I doubt it -- ISIC cards are sort of the standard student ID everywhere but the US. My friends and I all had to get ISIC IDs when we did study abroad programs.
Honestly, I've been to hundreds of museums all over the world, and the Vatican Museums rank as some of the most poorly laid-out, confusing, and frustrating galleries I've ever visited. The system by which they funnel most people past the "main attractions" just encourages the stampede to the Sistine.
Why they can't go to limited, timed tickets is beyond me -- every other major museum in the world does it!
Posted by: Scherza at Nov 13, 2006 1:33:41 PM
That is interesting that they are hiking the admission price. The trend in other (civic) museums (except the Metropolitan in NY who also is raising their admission), is to eliminate the admission price. In the U.S. especially, museums are finding they are saving money (don't have to pay people to track the money, give out the badges, etc) and increasing donations and memberships by doing so. Unlike Civic Museums, are those at the Vatican that reliant on admission revenue?
Posted by: ambrose at Nov 13, 2006 6:43:28 PM
ambrose, they probably hope hiking the admission will cut down on the crowds. It's a nutty situation.
Posted by: Eileen R at Nov 14, 2006 11:09:29 AM
