Turnstiles set for Seville's Plaza de Espana

I am surprised about the claims that there is a need to reduce the crowds here. When we were there - admittedly a few years ago - we were surprised by how quiet the area was.

I wonder whether the real reason for seeking to charge visitors is simply the usual one - to squeeze more money out of them.

I'm inclined to agree with you; I've been there three times, once in late winter and twice in early summer; there were quite a few people there on all occasions, but nothing you'd call a crowd.

Charges like this are becoming quite the thing in many places, possibly on a copycat basis. Hawaii is just now considering becoming the only U.S. state to charge a visitor fee.

Beyond charges like that, the general creep of admission charges is concerning; here in Brooklyn the Botanic Garden, which used to be free most of the time, now has only a few free hours; admission for two adults and two children totals $60, which puts it out of range for many families, and our museums—all operating in city-owned buildings with city funds contributed—are no better.