Pompeii Places Limit on Visitor Numbers to Preserve Historic Site

As Pompeii prepares to limit visitor numbers to 20,000 daily beginning November 15, 2023, the site’s management emphasizes the importance of conservation alongside the challenges of increased tourism.

Pompeii, the famed archaeological site once buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79, is set to cap its daily visitor count at 20,000. This decision comes in response to an overwhelming surge in tourism, highlighted by a record-breaking 36,000 guests on a free-entry Sunday in October. Approximately four million individuals explored the site in 2023, marking a significant 33% increase from 2022 and surpassing pre-pandemic visitation levels. With October 2024 alone witnessing over 480,000 visitors, management acknowledges that the new cap will only occasionally result in tourists being turned away, primarily during free-entry days when attendance spikes.

Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the site's director, underscored the need for balancing tourism and preservation efforts. The eruption that buried Pompeii has paradoxically contributed to its preservation over the millennium, making it a focal point for both visitors and archaeologists eager to unravel daily Roman life. Recent archaeological discoveries, including stunning frescos depicting Greek mythology, further underscore the city's historical significance. Tickets to enter the ancient wonder start at €18, reflecting a careful management approach to maintain this revered site amidst growing demand.