A day of history and sightseeing at Rome’s Colosseum turned into tragedy on Tuesday when a 56-year-old Italian tour guide collapsed and died while leading a group of visitors through the iconic monument.

The guide, Giovanna Maria Giammarino, was described as highly experienced and passionate about her work. She fell ill suddenly on the first tier of the Colosseum in the late afternoon.

Despite immediate efforts by tourists and staff to revive her with CPR and a defibrillator, Giovanna never regained consciousness. By the time paramedics arrived, it was too late.

“Two tourists were the first to help her,” said Isabella Ruggiero, president of AGTA, the Association of Licensed Tourist Guides. “Sadly, despite everyone’s efforts, Giovanna did not survive.”

Condolences Across Italy

The tragedy has drawn tributes from cultural leaders and government officials.

The Colosseum’s management expressed “deepest condolences for the tragic passing of Giovanna,” while Italy’s culture minister Alessandro Giuli announced that the monument’s lights would be switched off for a night as a mark of mourning.

Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, i and tourism minister Daniela Santanché also paid their respects, praising Giovanna and all cultural workers who dedicate their lives to preserving Italy’s heritage.

Debate Over Working Conditions

Giovanna’s sudden death has sparked a wider conversation about working conditions in Italy’s cultural sector.

Trade unions criticized the decision to reopen the Colosseum so soon after the tragedy, saying work should have been suspended out of respect. They also pointed to heat, long hours, and the physical strain of guiding as ongoing problems.

AGTA president Isabella Ruggiero echoed these concerns, noting that summer tours often mean guides work under extreme heat for hours at a time. She called for earlier opening times — starting at 7:00 a.m. instead of 8:30 a.m. — to help reduce risks.

“Climate change is no longer an ‘emergency,’ it is our reality,” Ruggiero wrote. “Working outdoors from 10:00 to 16:30 in the summer heat is unbearable.”

A Loss Felt Deeply

For colleagues, tourists, and Italy’s cultural community, Giovanna’s death is not just a personal tragedy but also a reminder of the pressures faced by those who dedicate their lives to sharing history with others.

As tributes continue to pour in, many hope her passing will spark meaningful changes to improve the conditions of guides who bring the country’s treasures to life for millions of visitors every year.