Airbnb ‘Gladiator’ Night at Roman Colosseum Raises Alarms with Italian Government

An Airbnb experience tied to “Gladiator II” at the Roman Colosseum is facing criticism from government officials and travel experts alike, who have cited the danger of short-term rentals and questioned the event’s authenticity.

For the event, Airbnb partnered with Paramount Pictures for two free nights of entertainment slated to take place at the famous amphitheater next year. It is held in conjunction with the release of Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” movie—an anticipated sequel to the earlier 2000’s “Gladiator” film.

“Warriors will have the opportunity to step inside the historic arena once traversed by victorious fighters, suit up in historically accurate armor, and put their skills to the test to determine their fate in battle,” Airbnb said in a press release.

Though an overnight stay is not part of the excursion, the event does offer an unique opportunity to experience the Colosseum with access to the hypogeum, or underground chambers, wherein guests can prepare for battle like the ancient gladiators, as well as the monument’s torch-lit passageways. Guests are encouraged to “train in the art of gladiator combat” and face off against one another in various types of armor.

“The news of a gladiatorial show inside the Colosseum leaves us perplexed, to say the least,” former European Parliament member Massimiliano Smeriglio said in a statement on Instagram earlier this week. “We cannot turn one of the most important monuments in the world into a theme park.”

Smeriglio also sent a letter to the CEO of Airbnb and Rome’s Superintendence of Cultural Heritage asking the organizations to cancel the experience.

Booking for either a two- or three-hour experience for a maximum of 16 guests at a time starts on November 27 and runs through December 9. Though it is entirely free, visitors must cover their own transportation and overnight stays.

The event has also attracted media from local and international media. Lacey Pfalz, associate writer for the online publication TravelPulse, called it “more a social media stunt than a cultural experience”.

“I’m happy that Airbnb is helping fund part of the Colosseum’s educational programs, but it’s getting this gladiator experience in exchange,” Pfalz told USA Today. “As this isn’t an experience everyone who visits the Colosseum can experience for themselves, and the monument isn’t in any danger of not having enough visitors, it seems the main entity left to benefit is Airbnb.”

In 72 CE, Roman Emperor Vespasian started construction of the Flavian Amphitheatre, known today as the Colosseum, as an entertainment venue for displays of exotic animals, executions of prisoners, recreations of battles, and gladiator fights. It was completed in 80 CE under his son Titus and remained in use for 500 years.

Located in the center of Rome, the Colosseum is the largest standing amphitheater in the world, measuring approximately 617 feet long, 512 feet wide, and 108 feet high. Still capturing the imaginations of many to this day, the Colosseum stands as a testament to Roman engineering and entertainment.

This is hardly the first instance of ancient sites being subject to modern use, despite concerns for the preservation of world heritage. Last year, for instance, Travis Scott held a concert at the nearby Circus Maximus, resulting in seismic shock from thousands of jumping fans.