Temples for tourists

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/02/opinion/edeco.php

This piece in the International Herald Tribune from 3rd April, my copy of which I only got around to reading last night, discusses the benefits of creating replica sites and artefacts for the benefit of tourists, in order to preserve the genuine article. It mainly uses Italy as an example, but is relevant to heritage tourism as a whole, particularly with regards to the replica of the tomb of Seti I that has been discussed for years. I have noticed in the last couple of years that exhibitions of replicas have become increasingly acceptable to museums too. But having said that, people don't flock to the replica Tutankhamun exhibitions the way that the have been turning up en massed to the genuine article currently touring the States. The piece is written by novelist Umberto Eco. It's not a new idea, but it is interesting to see it revived here:

"What are we to do? Deny the masses access to art, thus flying in the face of all democratic ideals? Discourage visitors - as already happens with Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper" in Milan, to which limited numbers are admitted?
We should exploit the natural tendencies of mass tourism - which is another way of saying that there are some who probably find Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas more Roman than the Coliseum.
Just think how many people will be more satisfied by the fake temple at Albanella, all in one piece, shining and splendid, than by the real thing that has struggled to survive in nearby Paestum. Let the crowds in search of easy satisfaction be directed to Albanella, leaving Paestum to those who know why they want to see it and who won't litter."

See the above two-page article for the full story.