Europe
Sistine Chapel falling victim to its success
Art gurus say air extraction system that purifies environment for famous chapel is too old to cope with many tourists.
Last Modified: 31 Oct 2012 23:23

The Sistine chapel just turned 500 years old, and with it, the creation of the most famous fresco in the world.

Michelangelo’s painted ceiling was inaugurated in 1512. Since then, millions of visitors have looked up in awe.

Around 20,000 tourists visit the Sistine Chapel everyday. That is five million per year, making this one of the most popular art destinations in the world.

But some have started to question whether the chapel is falling victim of its own success.

Experts in the art world argue that the air extraction system designed to purify the environment is too old to cope with mass tourism, and there are not enough guards to stop tourists taking forbidden pictures.

Al Jazeera's Claudio Lavango reports from Vatican City.

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Al Jazeera
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