Rome officials are not happy with the news that the Colosseum will welcome visitors outside of opening hours for a one-of-a-kind experience inspired by the next Gladiator II.

The experience, announced exclusively by PEOPLE on Wednesday, November 13, is part of the Airbnb program. “Icons” series and allows guests to “dress up in historically accurate armor and put their skills to the test to determine their fate in battle.”

“Train in the art of gladiatorial combat and test your courage as you face your fellow warriors. A summa rudis – your arbiter – will ultimately determine your destiny. May you taste the sweetness of glory with Infestus Pollex and join the ranks of gladiators since time immemorial,” Airbnb said. press release adds again.

The president of the Cultural Commission of Rome, Erica Battaglia, said in a statement acquired by CNN that the travel experience will make the Colosseum “a place of pranks for the privileged few.”

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“For what it represents, the Colosseum is a world heritage site and we must address the management to protect it,” she added, according to the media.

Rome’s cultural advisor, Massimiliano Smeriglio, expressed his concern about the new project in a Facebook poststating that the Colosseum should not be turned into a “theme park”.

“The news of a gladiator show inside the #Colosseum leaves us perplexed, to say the least. We understand the needs of the Superintendent to promote the work that deserves conservation and restoration, but with this initiative we reaffirm, once in addition, the principle of mercification and consumption of culture”, we read in his message.

“A principle which goes in the opposite direction to that which we are pursuing, namely that of a fertile heritage accessible to all”, continues the press release from Smeriglio.

Enzo Foschi, center-left Democratic Party politician, in a statement obtained by The telegraph, also said: “After taking possession of the historic center of Rome, to turn it into a huge theme park, they now want to trivialize the Colosseum. Rome is not Disneyland.”

The management of the Colosseum Archaeological Park, which oversees the Roman monument, defended the travel experience, expressing in a statement that the project is to “valorize the historical and cultural heritage of the amphitheater through immersive activities in the open air.” respect for the monument, based on principles of rigorous historical research,” according to CNN.

Airbnb also notes in its press release that the company follows “a series of measures and commitments from the platform aimed at revitalizing heritage tourism in Europe, including donations to heritage across Europe for more than ten million dollars.

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It further adds that “Airbnb offers support for the restoration and enhancement of the Colosseum’s heritage, including an ongoing project to restore the Colosseum’s permanent exhibition.”