Strict no-photography policy inside
Individual sites and iconic sites in a series where photography is strictly forbidden..
Connected Sites
| Site | Rationale | Link |
| Abbey of St Gall | The Library | |
| Altamira Cave | Also not allowed in the accessible caves | |
| Aranjuez | No photography allowed inside the palace. | |
| Blaenavon Industrial Landscape | Big Pit museum underground | |
| Boyana Church | ||
| Brú na Bóinne | Newgrange | |
| Decorated cave of Pont d'Arc | Even not allowed in the replica cave | |
| El Escurial | No pictures inside the rooms, but you can take pictures of the exteriors and the patios. | |
| Graz | Eggenberg | |
| Hal Saflieni Hypogeum | ||
| Hiraizumi | Chusonji's Konjikido - a hall completely covered in gold. Photography of the Konjikido is prohibited. | |
| Jewish-Medieval heritage of Erfurt | Inside the Synagogue (and its museum) | |
| Major Town Houses | ||
| Mogao Caves | ||
| Neolithic Flint Mines at Spiennes | Officially no underground photos are allowed, but it is not strictly adhered to. | |
| Painted Churches in the Troödos Region | Most of the churches don't allow photography inside, except for Panayia tou Araka and Archangelos Michael. | |
| Potala Palace | Inside the Potala Palace | |
| Rila Monastery | It is not allowed - to take photographs and videos in the church and in the Monastery museum (official website) | |
| Royal Palaces of Abomey | ||
| Santa Maria de Guadalupe | Photography is allowed in the cloister garden but not in the several museums (embroidery, manuscripts and art). It is also not allowed in the sacristy where the Zurbarán paintings are on display. | |
| Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple | Seokguram Grotto | |
| Sheki | Not allowed in the Khan's Palace and Shakikhanov's house | |
| Sigiriya | Taking photos of the frescoes is forbidden nowadays (2023) | |
| Skocjan Caves | ||
| St. Petersburg | Catherine Palace: Amber Room | |
| Thracian tomb of Kazanlak | Even not allowed in the copy | |
| Thracian tomb of Sveshtari | ||
| Vatican City | Sistine Chapel - The Chapel is the only place in the Vatican where photography and filming are completely banned. Undoubtedly one of the world’s most famous buildings, the Sistine Chapel is a testament to the immense skill of history’s greatest artists within the Renaissance era. The real reason for the ban dates back to 1980. During this time, the restoration of the masterpieces within the Chapel was to be completed. Due to the cost of this restoration, the Vatican officials looked to outside companies to fund the project. The request took place, and the highest bidder was the Nippon Television Network Corporation of Japan, offering 4 million dollars to restore this great masterpiece. As repayment, the Vatican officials provided the company with the complete rights to the photography and filming of the restored art. This exclusivity on photography was stated to expired three years after each artwork’s restoration was completed, however, the ban is still in place today. Given the damage that a large amount of flash photography can cause these artworks, it is no surprise that the Vatican City officials continued the camera restriction when Nippon’s contract expired. | |
| Verla Groundwood and Board Mill | ||
| Vézère Valley | Not allowed in Lascaux IV (the copy) or in Font de Gaume |
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