Sistine Chapel Ceiling at 500: The Vatican's Dilemma

BBC NEWS
By Alan Johnston

The Sistine Chapel frescoes took Michelangelo four years to complete

VATICAN CITY---Michelangelo's famous frescoes have been described as one of the world's supreme sights. The Vatican has indicated for the first time that it might eventually need to consider limiting the number of visitors to the Sistine Chapel, 500 years after its completion. There is an argument that it should be made as easy as possible for any pilgrim coming to Rome to see this room that has such a significant place in the Catholic world. And just a matter of weeks ago, in a newspaper article, Mr Paolucci said it would be as "unthinkable" to limit access to the Sistine Chapel as it would be to limit access to the famous shrine at Lourdes. [link]