In Pictures

In Pictures: Iconic sites around the world reopen their doors

Famed archaeological sites are among the global tourist destinations that are once again allowed to welcome visitors.

People wearing a face mask visit the archeological site of Pompeii on May 26, 2020, as the country eases its lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 infection, caused by the novel coronav — Pompeii, Italy's world-famous archaeological site, has reopened to the public. With foreign tourists still prohibited from travelling to Italy until June, the site that attracted just under four million visitors in 2019 is hoping that, for now, Italian tourists can make up at least a fraction of the difference. [Tiziana Fabi/AFP]

Iconic global monuments are reopening their doors after weeks of closure as countries around the world move ahead with plans to cautiously ease restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

An increasing number of popular tourist destinations – from famed archaeological sites, through centuries-old places of worship, to once-bustling markets – are once again allowed to welcome visitors, so long as they obey physical distancing and other rules meant to prevent new outbreaks.

This is part of countries’ efforts to move towards post-virus normality and reopen their economies that have been devastated by a global health emergency that has claimed the lives of more than 350,000 people.

This gallery will be updated to include new sites as more countries relax restrictions.

A couple visit the Parthenon temple on the archeological site of the Acropolis in Athens on May 18, 2020 amid the pandemic of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). - Greece reopened the Acropolis in Athen — Greece's Acropolis reopened on May 11, as did all open-air archaeological sites across the country after a two-month closure. [Aris Messinis/AFP]

epa08444240 Greek Orthodox clergymen during a Mass at the reopened Church of the Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, 26 May 2020. The church was reopened after 82 days of closure due to Pales — The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, reopened after more than two months of coronavirus restrictions imposed by the Palestinian Authority. The church, built on the site where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born, is administered jointly by Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Armenian Apostolic, Coptic Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox authorities. [Atef Safadi/EPA]

TEHRAN, IRAN - MAY 26: Iranians visit Shrine of Abd al-Azim al-Hasani after Government decide to re-open shrines and holy places which were closed due to coronavirus pandemic in Ray county in Tehran, — Iranians visit Shrine of Abd al-Azim al-Hasani after the government decided to reopen shrines and holy places. [Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu]

This photo taken and handout on May 24, 2020 by the Vatican Media shows Pope Francis salutes from the window of the apostolic palace overlooking St.Peter''s square after his live streamed Angelus praye — Pope Francis salutes a crowd of people from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St Peter's Square at the Vatican following the easing of coronavirus restrictions. [Vatican Media vis AFP]

People enjoy a drink at a cafe terrace by the Rialto bridge and the Grand Canal in Venice on May 18, 2020 during the country''s lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 infection, caused by — The Italian city of Venice, one of Europe's top tourist destinations, slowly comes back to life after the gradual easing of curbs. [Andrea Pattaro/AFP]

epaselect epa08322005 Employees of the Grand Bazaar cleaning department disinfect streets and shops inside Istanbul''s famous Grand Bazaar to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 in Ist — Municipal workers roam the deserted alleys of Istanbul's famous Grand Bazaar, spraying the floor, columns and walls ahead of the doors reopening for the first time in two months. [Sedat Suna/EPA]