Rome, a tour guide promptly intervenes and prevents vandalism at the Colosseum

In Rome, a tour guide (named Maddalena, last name withheld) prevented vandalism at the Colosseum. The professional, noticing that a tourist not belonging to her group was about to detach a brick from a pillar, immediately alerted the security guard, who intervened by recovering the fragment (in the meantime the tourist had finished removing it), which can then return to its proper place. A complaint was then filed with the relevant authorities.

Commenting on the incident was Isabella Ruggiero, president of theAssociation of Licensed Tourist Guides of Rome, to which Maddalena is a member: “Maddalena’s behavior demonstrates the competence and importance of the action of tourist guides. The #RespectRome project carried out by AGTAR is yielding excellent results. Our association, made up of hundreds of licensed guides in Rome, has among its goals to promote the role of guides as cultural heritage professionals on the front line in the defense of our heritage. Thanks to our widespread presence in the territory, we can and must make a significant contribution, collaborating with the Superintendencies and law enforcement agencies in reporting incidents of vandalism in order to curb the phenomenon.”

The guide involved in the incident, for his part, explains that the work of the guide extends beyond what is part of the common perception: “our work is not limited to illustrating the monuments, but we try to educate visitors to respect the works and sites. That is why we also try to keep our eyes open to immediately report any risky situation. We often intervene directly, filming visitors climbing on the monuments or using them for their picnics, while in more serious situations we call in security.”

Pictured: the interior of the Colosseum. Ph. Credit Benjamín Núñez González

Rome, a tour guide promptly intervenes and prevents vandalism at the Colosseum

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