Since early September, when Prague Castle Administration handed over St. Vitus Cathedral to the Catholic Church following a decision by Prague Municipal Court in June, visitors to St. Vitus have been obliged to fork over 100 Kč ($4.50) just to get inside (50 Kč for students and seniors over 65). Previously, the charge applied only if you wanted to see the really good stuff, like the royal crypt.

A recent day spent at the cathedral suggests that most visitors aren't bothered by paying the fee.

"Since I had been here a few years ago, when I did not have to do this, yes, I was a little surprised," said Jorge Moreno from La Rioja, Spain. "But it's not the only church in the world that makes you pay to get in."

Ray and Janis Cottles from Texas, along with their friend Alice, who had just flown into Prague that day from Tennessee, cited "deep religious reasons" for their visit to the venerable shrine. It actually worked out better for them than their last one.

"Two years ago when we were here, you couldn't see any of these things in the back," said Ray. "This time the lady at the cash desk told us for 100 Kč we had open access to the place. I said, 'A hundred crowns? Here you go, thank you very much.' "

"To pay just a hundred crowns for the upkeep of all this is nothing," Janis added. "Peanuts, really."

St. Vitus is arguably the most significant church in the country, both a religious and secular shrine. Putting aside the question of whether the Catholic Church should be restricting access to it, there's the odd situation of any church charging the religiously inclined just to walk in the door — a point not lost on some visitors.

"I think the Catholic Church is right in forcing visitors to pay. If you're just coming to have a look around, then you should pay," said Russell Anderson from Hamilton, Scotland. "But if you're here to pray, well, then that's something else. That wouldn't be proper, I don't think."

To be fair, there are signs posted at the main entrance clearly indicating that Sunday worship is still 100 percent free of charge. The devout who come for "religious reasons" are also fee-exempt, though that raises the question of how you show your religious intent. A prayerbook, perhaps?

The bulk of visitors to the cathedral come in tour groups, who don't seem to mind the extra charge, either. "It doesn't matter. Charge 300 Kč, because my clients would still pay!" gushed Hana Soltysiuk, who conducts guided tours in Polish for the Triada Agency in Prague. "You see, when it comes to St. Vitus, money is no object. At least not for Poles."

And there's no question that money is needed for constant maintenance. Estimates range up to nearly 20 million Kč annually for upkeep and repair of the mixed Gothic and Baroque shrine. On the day we visited, tall scaffolding snaked up the west side of the cathedral, and the sound of pneumatic tools could be heard while reconstruction crews busily went about their renovations.

Andrew Snyder from Portland, Oregon, seemed to sum up the current situation best. Referring to the judicial decision to hand off St. Vitus to the Vatican — at least for the time being, while the government appeals the Municipal Court's decision — Snyder observed wryly how "it just goes to show you where everyone's priorities are."