Iconic churches struggle to accommodate both worship, tourism

With tourism reaching or surpassing pre-pandemic levels across southern Europe this summer, iconic sacred sites struggle to find ways to accommodate both the faithful who come to pray and millions of increasingly secular visitors. A developing strategy is to have visitors and faithful go separate ways – with services held in discrete places, visits barred at worship times, or altogether different entrances. But the challenge remains to ensure the full spaces retain their spiritual purpose. The aim is to make them available to worshippers but also to educate tourists about their history as sacred sites, especially in rapidly secularizing countries where less famous churches are emptying out.