80

The amount in rands that an Italian clifftop village is charging tourists to enter its historic centre. As Italy grapples with how to manage mass tourism in places such as Florence and Venice, Polignano a Mare, a picturesque clifftop village of whitewashed houses and churches in the southern region of Puglia, has stirred controversy by charging visitors to enter.

Turnstiles have been installed at the entrances to the village, which originated as a Greek settlement in the fourth century BC.

Tourists have to pay €5 to enter.

The ticketing system started this month and will cover the whole

Christmas season until January 6. During this time, the village will be illuminated by thousands of lights.

Critics say the village is a public space that should be open to everyone, and that the ticketing system sets a dangerous precedent, which risks turning historic destinations into Disney-style attractions.

But mayor Domenico Vitto pointed out that the tickets buy not only entry to the village, but also a bag of popcorn, a doughnut, candy floss and a drink.