Public Backlash Against Airbnb’s Controversial “Gladiator Experience” at Rome’s Colosseum
### Airbnb’s Gladiator Experience at the Colosseum Sparks Controversy
Airbnb has announced an exclusive event offering 16 lucky guests the chance to experience life as gladiators, inside Rome’s legendary Colosseum. Scheduled for May 2024, the event, titled **“Train for Gladiador II Glory,”** has generated excitement among fans of ancient history and cinema, but it has also drawn intense backlash from some Italian officials concerned about preserving the site’s dignity.
The event, which will be hosted after hours in the Colosseum, is intended to promote Ridley Scott’s upcoming film *Gladiator II*, starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington. Selected participants will have the unique opportunity to tour the Colosseum after dark, don Roman-style armor, and even partake in a simulated gladiatorial battle under the guidance of seasoned experts. Airbnb, in a creative twist, lists “Lucius the fictional gladiator” as the official host for the event and describes the experience on its website as a way to “test the limits of strength and honor,” evoking the grandeur of ancient Roman gladiator competitions.
The Colosseum, a nearly 2,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site, has long been associated with gladiatorial combat, and for many, its historical significance makes it one of the most iconic structures in the world. However, Airbnb’s announcement has not been universally welcomed. Some local officials, particularly from Italy’s Democratic Party, have expressed concerns that such an event trivializes Rome’s rich cultural heritage by turning the Colosseum into little more than a theme park attraction.
#### **Criticism From Italian Officials**
Enzo Foschi, a member of Rome’s Democratic Party, was quick to react to Airbnb’s initiative. “We are not in Disneyland, we are in Rome. Every now and then someone seems to forget it,” Foschi commented in a statement, expressing concern that the event would reduce the Colosseum and its history to a mere spectacle designed for entertainment and profit.
Massimiliano Smeriglio, another official of the Democratic Party, has similarly criticized the project. Writing to Airbnb’s CEO, Smeriglio urged the company to “forfeit the tourist-gladiator show” and suggested that the event was indicative of a broader issue facing historical sites in major European cities. “With this initiative, once again a principle of commodification and consumption of culture is reaffirmed,” he wrote on Instagram, emphasizing the need to address over-tourism rather than prioritize activities that risk diluting the significance of such sites.
Smeriglio, along with others, fears that this event could set a dangerous precedent amid concerns over hyper-tourism. He reminded citizens that “the Colosseum is a symbol of the thousand-year history of Rome; its image must not be debased in the eyes of the world and it cannot become a playground.”
#### **Airbnb’s Argument and Support for the Event**
Despite the controversy, **Airbnb** has defended its decision, emphasizing its commitment to cultural preservation. An Airbnb spokesperson told *Hyperallergic* that the company had donated $1.5 million to the **Colosseum Archaeological Park** as part of its restoration efforts, pointing out that this funding supports much-needed preservation work on the monument.
Additionally, Alfonsina Russo, the director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, stated that the event was part of a broader initiative to “enhance the historical and cultural heritage of the Flavian Amphitheater.” Russo further assured critics that the event wouldn’t interfere with regular visitor operations since it’s scheduled to take place outside of normal working hours.
Supporters of the program also argue that public-private partnerships like this one can provide vital funding for the maintenance and conservation of national treasures like the Colosseum. According to Federico Mollicone, a parliamentary culture commissioner from Italy’s right-wing **Brothers of Italy Party**, the event brings welcome “profitability to the monument” while also contributing to education and “scientific exploration.” Such cooperation between cultural heritage organizations and private companies, he asserted, can help ensure that historical sites are both protected and accessible.
#### **Larger Issues of Tourism and the Commodification of Culture**
The controversy surrounding the gladiator event touches on a larger issue confronting many of Europe’s iconic cultural landmarks: how to manage increasing numbers of tourists while preserving the authenticity and integrity of these sites.
In recent years, the sharp rise in tourism activity in historic cities like Rome, Venice, and Pompeii has forced local governments to impose restrictions and fees to mitigate the impact. For example, Venice has introduced congestion fees for day-trip tourists during peak seasons, while officials at Pompeii have capped the maximum number of daily visitors to 20,000. Rome has announced potential plans to introduce fees for visitors who wish to approach the **Trevi Fountain**.
Local authorities have also had to contend with tourists’ disruptive behavior, such as vandalism and