Airbnb upsets Roman officials with Colosseum promotion

The vacation rental service is offering a unique experience in the historic monument as part of a promotion for the film Gladiator II, which premieres on Friday. Airbnb, beginning Nov. 27 and running through Dec. 9, will select a limited number of people to enter the Colosseum at night, explore the underground chambers where gladiators prepared, and then don armor and “fight” their fellow guests.

People who are chosen to participate will do so on May 7 or 8. Two events will be held, each accommodating up to 16 people. There’s no charge, but participants must pay their own way to Rome and arrange for accommodations themselves.

The ancient venue will be lit by candles during the event, but winners will not spend the night there, however. “The Colosseum is a place of combat, not of rest,” the listing reads. “By decree of the Emperor, no guest shall stay the night.”

The Roman Emperor wasn’t available for comment, since there hasn’t been one since 476. Massimiliano Smeriglio, Rome’s councilor for culture, however, definitely had some thoughts on the matter.

“The news of a gladiatorial show inside the #Colosseum leaves us perplexed to say the least,” he wrote on Instagram. “We cannot turn one of the most important monuments in the world into a theme park.”

Airbnb, in a statement, said “We are proud to support the Colosseum’s ongoing conservation work to find new ways to inspire and educate visitors on the historical significance of this bygone era. In partnership with the museum’s archaeological team and professional reenactment associations, this historical gladiator experience has been sensitively recreated by bringing to life the drama and awe of gladiator fights during the time of the Roman empire.”

Airbnb has made a $1.5 million donation to the Colosseum Archaeological Park, which oversees the structure. That money will be used to aid conservation and restoration efforts. That donation, however, is part of a wider program within Airbnb and is not a sponsorship deal.

“Regarding the agreement with the travel platform Airbnb, the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum specifies that 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,” said Alfonsina Russo, director of the Colosseum Archaeological Park. “The collaboration aims to combine conservation, education, and innovation to bring an ever-broader audience closer to the cultural richness of the Amphitheater.”