Airbnb has partnered with the Colosseum Archaeological Park to offer tourists a unique opportunity to engage in simulated gladiator battles within Rome’s iconic amphitheater. This initiative, part of a $1.5 million collaboration, is designed to coincide with the release of Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” and aims to provide participants with an immersive historical experience.
Scheduled for May 2025, the event will allow 16 selected participants and their guests to don historically accurate armor and partake in mock combat scenarios. The experience includes training sessions and battles conducted after the Colosseum’s public visiting hours, ensuring that regular tourism is not disrupted, according to a recent Airbnb press release.
Despite the organizers’ assurances of preserving the monument’s integrity, the initiative has sparked significant controversy among local officials and residents.
“The issue is not the public-private relationship or the desire of big brands to support the protection and conservation,” Rome’s councilor for culture, Massimiliano Smeriglio told CNN. “But to avoid a demeaning use of our historical-artistic heritage, especially when it comes to a monument that is unique in the world like the Colosseum.”
Similarly, Enzo Foschi, a city councilor, condemned the event as a “publicity stunt,” emphasizing that “we are not in Disneyland; we are in Rome.”
The Colosseum Archaeological Park, however, defends the collaboration.
“The goal of the collaboration is to enhance the historical and cultural heritage of the Flavian Amphitheater through immersive activities that fully respect the monument, based on rigorous historical research,” the park’s director Alfonsina Russo said.
Airbnb has also highlighted its commitment to revitalizing heritage tourism in Europe, noting that the partnership includes funding for the restoration and enhancement of the Colosseum’s permanent exhibition.
This controversy arises amid broader concerns over the impact of mass tourism on cultural landmarks and local communities. Cities like Barcelona and Amsterdam have implemented restrictions on short-term rentals to combat overtourism and preserve their cultural integrity. In Rome, the debate continues over balancing innovative tourism initiatives with the preservation of the city’s rich historical heritage.
