Tourists visiting Rome will be able to become gladiators and fight in the Colosseum. This offer was brought to you by the Airbnb platform. This idea caused a wave of criticism. “You can't turn a monument into an amusement park,” said one city council member. “This is not Disneyland, this is Rome,'' pointed out Italian politician Enzo Foschi. The monument's custodians will receive $1.5 million to make it available.
“Immerse yourself in the world of gladiators and take part in historic battles” – this is the kind of exclusive experience Airbnb offers to tourists visiting Rome.
This offer includes learning the secrets of gladiator fights and participating in the reconstruction of gladiator fights in the Colosseum. Two similar events aimed at tourists are planned for next May.
The performance will take place at sunset, after the monument is closed to visitors, Italian news agency ANSA said. The organizers will provide the necessary equipment for the match.
Under the agreement, the management of the Roman Archaeological Park will receive $1.5 million (more than 6 million złoty). A portion of this money will be used to maintain the monument.
Will gladiators return to the Colosseum? A controversial idea in Rome
However, the proposal caused a wave of anger among politicians. Massimiliano Smeriglio, Rome's cultural councilor, described the initiative as the “commodification of culture.”
“One of the most important monuments in the world cannot be turned into an amusement park,” he said, appealing to the website to remove the offer.
“Ancient ruins cannot be turned into an amusement park,” said Yuri Trombetti, another city council member.
“This way of attracting tourists is an insult to the dignity of Rome's most important monument,” a community association working to improve life in the Italian capital said in a statement.
– This is not Disneyland, this is Rome – said Enzo Foschi, a prominent Italian politician from the Democratic Party.
See: Italy. Restaurateur offers 300 euros to find waiter
The idea is being championed by the Roman History Group, which will participate in its preparation. It was emphasized that the show at the Colosseum was educational in nature.
Following a wave of criticism, the archaeological park's management said the purpose of the show was “a combination of renovation, education and innovation”.
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