Will charging day-trippers £4.30 restore Venice's magic? Inside the City of Bridges, as the famous access fees are introduced, with residents calling the measure “daylight theft”
Venice is the first city in history to charge tourists an entrance fee READ MORE: Is this the most spectacular train ride in the world?
Thursday was a special day in Venice. It wasn’t just the feast of the city’s patron saint, Saint Mark. It was also the first day of its famous right of access.
This new measure, introduced by the mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, obliges all excursionists to paying €5 simply for the privilege of being there - making La Sérénissime the first town in history to charge tourists an entrance fee.
If you stay overnight, or more, you don't have to pay anything. But you have to register online and request an exemption.
That's why on Thursday the riot police were present in force in Piazzale Roma , the main street of Venice. bus terminal. They were lined up against dozens of demonstrators with their banners and slogans, all convinced that access fees are a very bad idea.
It will not help of no benefit to residents, they argued.
Before my eyes, Brugnaro himself emerged from the crowd, wearing a Barbour coat and accompanied by an entourage, walking 'a determined step.
He was there to make sure his yellow-jacketed stewards were doing their job by encouraging people to use their phones to pay for online fees. Failing that, there are ATMs you can use. Or you can pay the fee in a tabacchi.
Brugnaro's cigar, which smouldered in his hand although...
Thursday was a special day in Venice. It wasn’t just the feast of the city’s patron saint, Saint Mark. It was also the first day of its famous right of access.
This new measure, introduced by the mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, obliges all excursionists to paying €5 simply for the privilege of being there - making La Sérénissime the first town in history to charge tourists an entrance fee.
If you stay overnight, or more, you don't have to pay anything. But you have to register online and request an exemption.
That's why on Thursday the riot police were present in force in Piazzale Roma , the main street of Venice. bus terminal. They were lined up against dozens of demonstrators with their banners and slogans, all convinced that access fees are a very bad idea.
It will not help of no benefit to residents, they argued.
Before my eyes, Brugnaro himself emerged from the crowd, wearing a Barbour coat and accompanied by an entourage, walking 'a determined step.
He was there to make sure his yellow-jacketed stewards were doing their job by encouraging people to use their phones to pay for online fees. Failing that, there are ATMs you can use. Or you can pay the fee in a tabacchi.
Brugnaro's cigar, which smouldered in his hand although...
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