Airbnb Is Giving 32 Folks the Probability to Go to the Colosseum After Hours to Watch a Gladiator Battle

Constructed almost 2,000 years in the past, the Colosseum is among the most iconic historical constructions nonetheless standing in Rome. However visiting it right now, you’ll be able to solely start to think about what it could have been wish to attend a gladiator battle in the course of the days of the Roman Empire. Quickly, although, in honor of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator sequel, which is able to hit theaters on Nov. 22, just a few fortunate winners may have the prospect to enter the amphitheater after hours to witness a gladiator battle and even don armor and study among the strikes themselves.

Created in partnership with Paramount Photos, this ultra-exclusive expertise is one in every of Airbnb’s Icons, a sequence of epic stays and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that the home-sharing platform is bringing to life — and we received a sneak peek. As a Rome-based journalist, I’ve been to the Colosseum quite a few occasions — by myself, on guided group and personal excursions, in the course of the day and after hours — however I’ve by no means seen it fairly like this.

Upon getting into the rear gate on a current night, I discovered myself ringside, the place a seating space lined in pink velvet cushions and illuminated by torches and fireplace pits was arrange overlooking the world ground. I watched rapt as two males in gladiator armor started to battle, their weapons clashing in opposition to their shields and helmets, the clanging sounds reverberating within the evening. Once I requested the skilled information in the event that they have been actors, she defined they’re not actors however historic reenactors who’ve devoted themselves to finding out gladiators.

Afterward, she led me down into the hypogeum, a warren of underground chambers the place animals have been saved in cages and corridors and gladiators walked earlier than rising within the area. There, in one of many chambers, I received an up-close take a look at helmets, shields, armor, and weapons made to copy those utilized by historical gladiators. Members will be capable of select an outfit comparable to one of many kinds of gladiators (murmillo, thraex, provocator, retiarius, or contrarete) and study the strikes they might have utilized in a battle earlier than placing their expertise to the take a look at.  

“Icons take you inside worlds that solely existed in your creativeness till now,” Brian Chesky, Airbnb’s co-founder and CEO, stated at Icons’ Summer season Launch occasion in Los Angeles. “What we’re targeted on is creating extra magic in the true world — and all the things we do is in service to this concept as a result of magic shouldn’t be restricted to our creativeness.”

Requests to e-book this unforgettable expertise will open on Nov. 27 at 6 a.m. PT at airbnb.com/gladiatormovie. The precise experiences will happen on Could 7 and eight, 2025. Every expertise has the capability to host 16 individuals (eight winners and their plus-ones), which means simply 32 individuals may have the prospect to expertise a night as a gladiator on the Colosseum. The reserving interval will shut on Dec. 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT. The expertise is free, however members are answerable for getting themselves to Rome and paying any prices related to their journey.