Italian Tour Guide Dies at Colosseum After Heat Warning

Visiting the Colosseum and Roman Forum in the heat of the summer is grueling at best under the blazing summer sun with the lack of shade, absence of a breeze, and limited access to water.

During a trip to Rome last month, I experienced those conditions firsthand when my wife and I took a midday tour of the site amid a significant heatwave. After both struggling to complete the tour with the heat nearly causing my wife to pass out, it's tragic but not wholly surprising to hear that similar conditions claimed someone's life this week.

At around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, 56-year-old Giovanna Maria Giammarino collapsed in the ancient amphitheatre. Despite the efforts of tourists and the emergency services on site, she could not be revived and passed away at the scene as a result of an apparent heart attack.

Her death came after some serious warnings about the conditions European tour guides faced during the summer, and has amplified calls for change from Italy's tour guides.

The Death Came After a Major Warning

Just weeks before Giammarino's death, the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations issued a warning about heatwaves sweeping across Europe and the reality that tour guides would have to handle those conditions.

"As heatwaves across Europe intensify, our responsibility as tourist guides grows – not just toward our guests, but also toward ourselves. Extreme heat is no longer an exception; it is a new reality that demands attention, adaptation, and solidarity within our profession," the group wrote in a statement earlier this summer.

"In these challenging conditions, the role of licensed and well-trained guides, especially those connected through professional associations, becomes even more vital. Guides who are part of such networks have access to up-to-date safety alerts, peer support, legal advice, and practical resources to help them adapt quickly and responsibly."

The notice also warned that sometimes, canceling a tour as a result of the heat is the correct choice.

"There may be moments when, for safety reasons, a tour must be postponed or cancelled entirely. This is not a failure – it is a professional judgement. If possible, work with your network to find a substitute guide who may be less affected by the heat or better suited to continue the tour under the conditions," the statement read.

"Remember: heat affects people differently. Older guides, or those with health conditions, must be especially cautious. Caring for yourself is not selfish – it is responsible leadership."

Italy's Tour Guides Call For Change

Following the news of Giammarino's death, Italy’s Certified Tour Guide Association (AGTA) issued a statement calling on authorities to extend the Colosseum’s opening hours so that tours could take place in the cool of the early morning or later in the evening.

“First of all, the opening hours of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum [which includes the Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine Hill] need to change during summer,” AGTA said in a statement posted on social media.

“It’s useless to talk about a ‘heat emergency’ every year as if this were something new: climate change is a fact and for some years, working at the Roman Forum from 10:00 to 4:30pm has been unbearable.”

The group suggested that during the summer months, the area should be open from 7 a.m. to 8:15 p.m., allowing more time for visits and tours in the morning and evening.

“For three years, we’ve been asking for the opening of the whole park to be brought forward to 7am and for closing to be postponed by an hour,” AGTA said in a statement. “These changes would benefit the public health of everyone: visitors, guides and other workers.”

The association said economic uncertainty and a lack of protection has resulted in tour guides pushing themselves beyond their physical limits to be able to support their families.

“[On Tuesday] a guide left for ever, but in recent years too many have left this activity for other ‘safer’ and less demanding jobs,” the statement added. “We need more protection.”