A TikTok user sparked widespread discussion after admitting that her visit to Rome’s Colosseum left her unsettled when she learned about its violent past. Her video expressing discomfort about the ancient amphitheater’s brutal history went viral and opened up debate about whether tourists should research the sites they visit before traveling. The clip has accumulated more than 7.6 million views and divided social media users between those defending her and those criticizing her lack of historical knowledge.
The user known as jolly_rencher shared her experience visiting the famous landmark, revealing that she apparently knew little about the site before her trip. “I’m sorry, but being here was incredibly creepy,” she wrote alongside her footage. The visitor continued expressing her unease throughout the tour, stating she felt uncomfortable the entire time and prayed for the visit to end quickly. She acknowledged enjoying Italy overall but made clear that learning about the Colosseum’s past disturbed her deeply. The amphitheater’s history includes various entertainment spectacles, most notably gladiatorial combat and battles involving wild animals, which were common forms of public entertainment in ancient Rome.
The tourist’s breaking point came when she learned specific details about the brutal events that took place within the arena’s walls. “As soon as they told me they threw people to the lions here, I had enough,” she concluded in her video. The Colosseum was indeed used for violent spectacles where condemned prisoners were sometimes sent into the arena as part of gruesome public displays. These executions by wild animals were known as damnatio ad bestias and represented one of the harshest forms of Roman capital punishment. Gladiators also fought each other and various animals for the entertainment of massive crowds that could number in the tens of thousands.
Her candid admission triggered thousands of comments from viewers who couldn’t believe she was unaware of such well-documented historical facts. “Girl, what did you think happened at the Colosseum?” one person wrote in response. Another commenter added, “Without any malice intended, but I’ve never visited a place without researching it beforehand, especially not in a foreign country.” The reaction highlighted how many people consider basic research an essential part of travel planning. One user succinctly asked, “American?” suggesting that the lack of historical awareness might reflect educational gaps, though this comment itself sparked further debate about stereotyping.
@jolly_rencher As soon as they told me they were feeding mf’s to lions I was done
♬ suono originale – Sardegna World
Not everyone rushed to criticize the TikToker, however, as some users defended her right to be emotionally affected by what she learned. “I love history, but that doesn’t mean every traveler knows everything about the places they visit,” one person commented in her defense. Another supporter pushed back against the harsh criticism, writing, “These comments are weird.” These defenders argued that expecting comprehensive historical knowledge from every tourist represents an unrealistic standard and that people travel for various reasons beyond educational enrichment. Some pointed out that emotional reactions to learning about violence and suffering demonstrate empathy rather than ignorance.
The content creator addressed the backlash in a follow-up video where she stood her ground against critics. “You’ve clearly gotten too comfortable leaving comments on strangers’ videos thinking they’ll never see them or respond,” she stated directly to her critics. “You’ve gotten way too relaxed on the internet.” Her response showed she wasn’t apologizing for her reaction and instead called out what she perceived as excessive online criticism from people hiding behind anonymity. The exchange highlighted broader tensions about how people interact on social media and whether viral fame justifies harsh judgment from strangers.
The Colosseum stands as one of the most recognizable symbols of the Roman Empire and represents remarkable ancient engineering achievements. Construction began under Emperor Vespasian around 70 AD and was completed by his son Titus in 80 AD. The massive structure could hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators who gathered to watch various forms of entertainment including gladiatorial contests, animal hunts, mock naval battles, and public executions. The word “Colosseum” derives from the Colossus of Nero, a massive statue that once stood nearby. Over the centuries, earthquakes and stone robbers damaged significant portions of the structure, yet it remains largely intact and continues to be Rome’s most visited tourist attraction. The amphitheater became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 and was named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Today it serves as both a major tourist destination drawing millions of annual visitors and a powerful reminder of ancient Roman culture, engineering prowess, and the brutal entertainment that characterized that civilization.
What are your thoughts on tourists being surprised by the violent history of ancient monuments in the comments?
