Despite temperatures approaching 40 degree Celsius(104 Fahrenheit ), tourists braved to visit Rome's ancient Roman Forum on Tuesday (August 11).

Visitors to the sprawling archaeological site sought shade among the ancient ruins, stopping frequently to drink water and taking shelter under umbrellas as they explored one of Rome's most popular attractions.

According to weather website ilmeteo.it, temperatures in Rome were expected to climb to around 39C during the day (102,2 Fahrenheit).

"I went to the Colosseum, and here, maybe the stones really do trap and radiate the heat, because you can definitely feel it", French tourist, Jules Daibail, said.

Even if Italy is accustomed to hot summers, last week Italian Health Ministry took the unprecedented step of putting all its major cities on the top level of health alert due to high temperatures.

Italy is among several European countries grappling with extreme summer temperatures. Europe is the fastest-warming continent, meaning summer heatwaves and their impact are expected to become more common.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Visitors brave scorching heat at Rome's ancient ruins amid heatwave

VIDEO SHOWS: PEOPLE VISITING ANCIENT ROMAN FORUM AS ITALY IS GRIPPED BY EXTREME HEAT /COMMENTS OF TOURISTS

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: ROME, ITALY (AUGUST 11, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VIEW OF ANCIENT ROMAN FORUM

2. PEOPLE VISITING ANCIENT ROMAN FORUM HOLDING UMBRELLAS

3. TOURISTS VISITING SITE / WOMAN WAVING FAN

4. PEOPLE VISITING ANCIENT ROMAN FORUM HOLDING UMBRELLAS

5. WOMAN HOLDING FAN

6. PEOPLE VISITING ANCIENT ROMAN FORUM HOLDING UMBRELLAS

7. MAN WAVING FAN

8. VIEW OF ANCIENT ROMAN FORUM

9. PERSON WAVING FAN

10. PEOPLE VISITING ANCIENT ROMAN FORUM HOLDING UMBRELLAS

11. (SOUNDBITE) (French) TOURIST FROM LYON, FRANCE, JULES DAIBAIL, SAYING:

"I went to the Colosseum, and here, maybe the stones really do trap and radiate the heat, because you can definitely feel it. I was reading that it’s 33C, but it feels like 38C. Especially when there’s no wind like this. But here we are."

12. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE VISITING ANCIENT ROMAN FORUM

13. WOMAN HOLDING UMBRELLA

14. WOMAN WAVING FAN

15. (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM UK, CHRISTIAN DE ANGELO, SAYING:

"I mean, I love the heat, but I think I need to be a bit more clever and go in the shade. I have some water, but tourists, we walk around in the heat all day. That's why you see people like this. And I'm glad I'm not the only one."

16. PEOPLE VISITING ANCIENT ROMAN FORUM

17. STATUE

18. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE VISITING ANCIENT ROMAN FORUM

19. MAN APPLYING SUNSCREEN

20. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE VISITING ANCIENT ROMAN FORUM

21. (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOURIST FROM CHINA, IVY HUANG, SAYING:

"I'm burning."

JOURNALIST ASKING:

"How do you cope with the heat?"

HUANG SAYING: "With Cola, water, just it."

22. VIEW OF ANCIENT ROMAN FORUM

23. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE QUEUING / WATER SPRAYS