Rome Gladiator School - 'Gruppo Storico Romano'

We had a great time at the Roman Gladiator School! We had a small group, about 12 people, with 6 parents and 6 kids. Instruction was good and the experience overall was well worth it. I deducted a star because as I looked at the reviews here, I saw that the instructors were all in Gladiator attire. There was a really large group behind us that also had an instructor who was "a real Gladiator" and was in attire. I heard his enthusiasm with the crowd from the little arena they have. Our experience wasn't like that. Our instructor emphasized their expertise, which I do believe they have, but I feel like that part of the experience (the enthusiasm and attire, etc.) were lacking in comparison. There were times when the instructor also became overwhelmed and frustrated with the kids. The kids were rowdy and excited at times, so it's understandable, but still, I was surprised by that enough because this is overall an experience for kids, so I figured they'd be used to that kind of behavior. All in all, worth it! I would do it again, even with the minor complaints I have.

I attended both the Gladiator training and Gladiator show(the show is only on friday). Learnt a bit of the history. Had fun with both the training and the show. The show is not just a show, they also include the participation of guests. Had a lot of fun and laughter. The trainer and those who works there are very friendly and nice. Very recommneded to go should you visit rome.

My boys absolutely loved doing this. They were very careful to include each kid and explain at a level that made sense. Our whole family felt engaged and had a fun time hanging out for the time. Highly recommend this experience and if/ when we are back in Rome, we would likely come back for a different experience here.

No lie. As soon as we left Gladiator School, I immediately posted on a Travel Italy with Kids Facebook group (where I learned about the school) that families ABSOLUTELY MUST come here. We all had so much fun, including me and my husband. We were paired with a family from Germany and while all adults spoke English, including our “instructor,” all the kids did not. But it didn’t matter, laughter and fun transcend language barriers. I would highly recommend Gladiator School first thing in the morning (definitely bring bug spray) and then spend the day along the Appian Way. What an escape from the crowds and your visit to the Colosseum and Forum will resonate much more to with your children.

We have just visited the gladiator school and we had a fantastic morning! It was perfect for the two children, our 9 year old and our 38 year old. Both had an absolute blast. Mirko was our trainer, he was brilliant. So enthusiastic, knowledgeable and really brought the experience to life! It was such a great day, we'd definitely go back!!

We spent several months in Europe, and both of my kids (ages 11 &9) tell everyone who asks that this was their favorite activity we did the entire trip. It was very informative, but interactive and hands on which made the things they'd seen at the Colosseum a lot more accessible.

Fantastic experience. My wife and I did this with our six year old daughter, and it was amazing. We all had such a great time. The instructor was extremely knowledgeable. We all felt we learned so much, and had a great time doing so. Our daughter asked us why we didn’t book it twice, because she wants to go back to continue to learn. Highly recommend.

🌟 **A Must-Do Experience in Rome!** Gladiator School is hands-down one of the most memorable and entertaining incredible experiences we had as a family. From the moment you step in, you're whisked away into the world of the Roman Empire—learning about gladiator history through interactive storytelling, fun challenges, and hands-on training that brings ancient Rome to life! I highly recommend this for families and groups. Everyone gets to suit up and join the action—it’s not just fun, it’s a bonding experience filled with laughs and unforgettable moments. There’s something so special about sparring like gladiators with your kids or partner… we couldn’t stop laughing! The team behind the experience is absolutely hilarious and passionate. They made the whole adventure even more exciting—we were laughing from start to finish! I especially want to thank the owner, a truly kind and generous person. When my son felt unwell during our visit, he personally went to get medicine for him and even invited us to return another day so my son could enjoy the full experience once he felt better. That act of kindness speaks volumes about the spirit behind Gladiator School. In short, if you're visiting Rome—don’t miss it. It’s more than an activity—it’s a memory-maker!

We had a blast going to this place. The instructor was strongly in character and really enriched the experience. We learned a lot and we had a fun time. It was a bit tricky to get to so I'd suggest to take a cab from Rome if you can. Bring bug spray and the mosquitoes are abundant in the area! This was truly a unique experience and one I will treasure with my wife for a long time coming. Yes it is more tailored to kids but as an adult, I still had a great time! If you are looking for a unique experience in Rome, this is definitely something you should consider! The organization does a great job replicating weapons and they really know their stuff! The passion shows immensely through their spirit and with the way they talk!

NOTE: this is cash only so don't forget your Euros. This is a really fun experience for kids - or really anyone who has ever wondered what it was like to be a Roman Gladiator! Yuri was our "Gladiator Trainer" and was fantastic. He was a wealth of information and kept the entire group engaged and entertained. The lesson before was very interesting and the hands-on training/battle was so fun! My 2 boys ages 6 and 7 1/2 LOVED this and thought is was absolutely the best thing ever. Thank you to Yuri and the rest of the staff. Note: you need to make a reservation prior. The experiences are every 2 hours starting at 9:00 am. It is a bit out of town...approx 20-25 minutes from central Rome but totally worth it. Take a taxi and on your way back you can either ask them to call you a taxi or order an Uber which was really very simple!!!

This was a great experience for our big group. It started with an interesting talk in the small museum but adults and children alike enjoyed it. During the gladiator training, adults were invited to the work out. My 41 yr old sons had a blast. It involved some strenuous activity which wore out the younger ones in the 90 degree heat but they were so excited to learn to battle and experience it. Do bring mosquito repellant as it's surrounded by Forrest and several got bites. The competitive battles were enjoyed by all and a different child got to be the emperor in the coveted arena. The total area is flat walking. We had a hop on hop off bus which took us part way and then a 15 minute walk. We highly recommend it.

We recently took our kids to Rome, and one of the highlights was the Gruppo Storica gladiator school. The 3 boys had a great time, and trainer/sergeant/slave master was WONDERFUL. If you have kids and want to do something other than the traditional tourist sites, go to this school. They also have a amazing museum (although small) of historical weapons