The ancient underground tunnel (connecting the Colosseum with the gladiators’ school) and the gladiatorial barracks will probably be renovated thanks to a grant from Kuwait (information for 2015). Generations of gladiators lived and trained in Ludus Magnus, the largest such structure in Rome, which was located just a few hundred meters from the amphitheatre. The remains of the building are still visible – squeezed between two crowded streets, in the shadow of the Colosseum, often covered with rubbish.
For a long time, the Roman authorities tried to rebuild the place and open a tunnel to visitors, connecting the barracks with the rooms of the Colosseum. Before the fight, gladiators put on helmets, armour and collect weapons, then go through the tunnel and enter the sandy arena of the amphitheatre. This moment is very well presented to us by Ridley Scott in his movie “Gladiator”.
According to the city authorities, talks are underway with the Kuwait government, which is ready to support the initiative with 1.5 million pounds.
