Ever wonder what it was like to be a gladiator? Airbnb is about to make that a possibility.
In anticipation of Gladiator II (out Nov. 22), the long-awaited sequel to Ridley Scott’s Academy Award-winning 2000 blockbuster Gladiator, the vacation rental site is hosting a one-of-a-kind experience inside the Roman Colosseum after hours, PEOPLE can exclusively announce.
The limited experience is the latest introduction in Airbnb’s “Icons” series, which gives adventurous travelers access to some of their favorite fictional homes — like the Deetz residence from Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the floating house from Up or the X Mansion from X-Men.
Unlike its typical listings, the Gladiator II experience is not an overnight stay, but will welcome visitors into the iconic landmark after hours for the first time ever.
Once inside the historic arena, guests will “suit up in historically accurate armor and put their skills to the test to determine their fate in battle,” according to Airbnb.
Photos of the spectacular experience show the Colosseum being illuminated with orange light fixtures to resemble fire and torches, as well as a variety of different shields and weapons on display.
Visitors will be greeted by the master of ceremonies after sunset, who will guide them through the underground chambers to help them prepare for battle.
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
The evening will continue with a guide down the “torch-lit, labyrinthine passageways of the Colosseum where countless warriors walked before,” says Airbnb.
Guests will be invited to watch “seasoned gladiators engage in a thrilling showdown” before training in the “art of gladiator combat” themselves and fighting against fellow warriors.
Throughout the evening, guests will also be treated to a spread straight from the big screen of grapes, pomegranates, almonds and walnuts.
while the once-in-a-lifetime experience is free, snagging a spot may be the ultimate challenge. It will be available to book for two, three-hour experiences on May 7 or 8. Each experience can accommodate up to 16 guests and costs $0 per person. (Guests are responsible for their own travel to Rome).
Booking requests will be open from November 27 at 6:00 a.m. PT. to December 9 at 11:59 p.m. PT at airbnb.com/gladiatormovie.
The Colosseum, known as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, is a massive arena where gladiators fought to the death against other fighters and wild animals for public entertainment.
Gladiator II stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington. The movie picks up where its predecessor left off with a new fighter, Commodus’ nephew Lucius (Mescal), ready to enter the arena.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling h
The movie has already received generally favorable first reviews from critics with The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney writing that Mescal “is magnetic as always” in his portrayal.
“Gladiator II might not have a protagonist with the scorching glower of [Russell] Crowe’s Maximus, but it has plenty of the eye-popping spectacle and operatic violence audiences will want,” Rooney wrote.
Read the full article here
