Gladiator Museum Tours and Activities

There’s no symbol more evocative of ancient Rome than the gladiators, and visitors of all ages will enjoy spending a few hours at the modern city’s Gladiator Museum. Admire faithful reproductions of helmets and armor—including shields and breastplates—worn by the fighters over a span of almost 1,000 years.

The Basics
Just a short distance away from where these fierce warriors used to stage battles, the Gladiator Museum displays more than 500 helmets, cuirasses, and weapons. Learn about how armor and weaponry evolved between the seventh century BC and the fourth century, the influences from across the globe that molded their styles, and the techniques and technologies that went into creating each piece. The museum’s lower level connects to the ruins of the Stadium of Domitian—look for the gladiator prison.

To save time at the entrance, buy your ticket online in advance.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Gladiator Museum is a must-do for ancient history buffs, fans of gladiator lore, and travelers who have just toured the nearby Colosseum.
• Photography is allowed throughout the museum.
• The museum isn’t wheelchair-accessible.

How to Get There
Located on Piazza Navona in the historic center of Rome, the Gladiator Museum is easily reached via one of the many buses that stop on Largo di Torre Argentina, a short walk away.

When to Get There
Open all day, every day, the museum is a nice respite from the heat and crowds of Piazza Navona during the summer.

Piazza Navona
Don’t miss the sumptuous oval “square” known for its baroque masterpieces, including Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s famous Fountain of the Four Rivers, the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, and Palazzo Pamphilj. Ringed by lively outdoor cafés and thick with street performers day and night, Piazza Navona is one of the city’s most beautiful and vibrant public spaces.