The Italian job

By Katherine MacColl

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HUNDREDS of thousands of tourists visit Italy each year, but now it seems that the country is paying a high price for its popularity.

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Vatican officials in Rome have announced plans to close the tomb of St Peter's to visitors for the foreseeable future, because of the damage caused by the humidity they create.

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At the same time, authorities in Florence have begun the first stage of a scheme to charge visitors entering city churches to admire Renaissance masterpieces.

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They argue entrance fees are the only way to preserve such works of art But are they right Should we have to pay to see history or is it preservation at all costs

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An estimated 30 million tourists and pilgrims have been in Rome during Holy Year, which ended last week.

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Almost everyone who visits the Eternal City pays a trip to St Peter's Basilica, where it is believed the apostle was buried in AD64.

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But now Vatican officials say not even selected visitors and scholars will be allowed into the tombs, because of the dangers of humidity, saline encrustations and microbiological phenomena.

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The Italian newspaper Il Messaggero said the situation was serious and the tomb of St Peter's was the reason the Vatican exists.

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In Florence, from the end of January, visitors to the church of Santa Maria Novella, which houses Masaccio's fresco The Trinity, will have to pay 5,000 lire (�1.60). There have been entrance fees to the cathedral dome and crypt and adjoining baptistry since 1966, but other churches have remained free to the public. The Italians say the fees are necessary to pay for restoration and cleaning.

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Elsewhere, Australian authorities say the annual New Year knees-up on Bondi Beach by backpackers has caused huge litter and beach debris problems.

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Monuments like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and closer to home, Stonehenge, have all suffered at the hands of tourism.

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Perhaps it's only right that reponsible visitors accept a small fee is inevitable