Sunday's NY Times Travel Section (April 22, 2007) has an Affordable Europe theme and there is one article that provides guidance on seeing art in Rome on the cheap.

In the Eternal City, Priceless Art for No Price at All

It is written by the Rome correspondent of the Times, Ian Fisher.

I've got it bookmarked now. Thanks, Jim.

Neat, I'll copy the info over to the thread where "San Clemente" was discussed this past week. Thanks, Jim.

I noticed that the photo the NYT chose to illustrate the article about seeing "priceless art for no price at all" was the intermediate level at San Clemente. Last time I visited (Oct 2005) there was a charge to go downstairs. Has that changed? Is access below stairs now free of charge?

According to the web site, there is a charge...here are the details.

From Monday to Saturday, 09.00-12.30 & 15.00-18.00
Last entrance to the excavations at 12.10 & 17.40

On Sundays and State Holidays, 12.00-18.00
Last entrance to the excavations at 17.40

Admission to the excavations - €5
Admission for students under twenty-six years of age, with I.D., - €3,50

For the safety of pilgrims and visitors the excavations are fitted with
closed circuit security cameras.

Photography is not allowed in any part of the excavations.

Thanks for this, Jim ... and for cluing me in on their new website. It's excellent. In his relatively short tenure as prior, Fr. John Cunningham has upgraded the systems (lighting, security, etc.) but I didn't know he'd produced such a sophisticated website.