tourism in Alemanha, Catedral of Colônia, heritage preservation, financial crisis, visitation rate
The management of one of the most visited world heritage sites located on the European continent confirmed a profound change in its public access guidelines. The administrative board of the main Catholic temple of Alemanha announced that non-religious visitors will need to pay a mandatory fee to enter the monumental building from the second semester. The free service will continue to be restricted exclusively to the faithful who attend the space for strictly liturgical purposes, masses and moments of individual prayer.
The drastic move comes in direct response to an acute deterioration in the institution’s accounts, which has seen its financial reserves completely depleted in recent months. Dados accounting officials point out that operating expenses exceeded the mark of 14.2 million euros in the last consolidated balance sheet, while total revenue remained in the range of 14 million euros. The millionaire mismatch generated a maximum emergency alert among the managers responsible for the conservation of the historic monument.
Projeções internal financial institutions indicate that the real cost of keeping the imposing Gothic structure standing and safe for the public should jump to around 16 million euros annually in the short term. Sem viable alternatives for immediate financing or additional state subsidies, the implementation of charging at the main door has become the only possible way to avoid the imminent collapse of conservation, security and ongoing restoration services.