Vatican Museums to extend hours to accommodate visitors

Published: 2007-12-20

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The Vatican Museums said it was extending its hours to deal with an increasing number of visitors. Because of the additional personnel cost, the entrance price will go up by 1 euro. That means visitors will pay the equivalent of $20 to get inside the museum complex. As of January, the museums will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the entire year. Until now, the complex was opened on a staggered schedule that ranged from five to seven hours a day. The Vatican said in a statement that the extended hours represented "a great opportunity for the international world of culture" and would make for an easier visit to the museums. Last year, 4.3 million people, a record number, came to the Vatican Museums. The entrance line outside often stretched more than half a mile; inside, the most popular rooms -- like the Sistine Chapel -- were usually filled to capacity.

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