This BRAND organized a rich program of workshops, interactive games, entertainment, and guided tours tied to the international exhibition Gladiators. Heroes of the Colosseum. The event aimed to engage the youngest audiences with immersive explorations of ancient Rome, scheduled for April 19 and 22. These activities were designed to differentiate experiences from typical depictions of the Roman world, offering a closer look at the daily life and images of gladiators and the world they inhabited. The team highlighted that the content would unravel the mysteries of gladiators’ daily routines and the imagery surrounding them, inviting families to step into history with curiosity and playfulness.
In addition to the exhibition, recent contributions in the realms of history and archaeology related to gladiators will be announced, including discussions on architecture and construction in Roman Hispania. Public buildings such as amphitheaters, theaters, and circuses will feature on MARQ’s activity calendar, expanding the broader narrative around ancient entertainment and urban planning. This broader scholarly context helps visitors connect ancient performance spaces with cultural and social life of the period.
MARQ also organized guided visits to the Tossal de Manises site in Alicante and l Illeta dels Banyets in El Campello, carried out during the Easter week. These excursions offered participants a hands-on experience of archaeological sites, combining interpretation with on-site discoveries and the chance to understand how these places functioned within their historical landscapes. Credit: MARQ’s on-site team and curatorial staff facilitated these experiences for families and curious visitors alike.
Julia Parra, Vice President for Culture, emphasized that the program is completely free for a family audience and forms part of a sequence of events associated with the Gladiators exhibition. The initiative is designed to be launched with multiple innovative proposals in the coming week, inviting participants to explore ancient Rome from fresh angles while enjoying accessible educational activities. Credit: MARQ leadership and programming team.
Didactic workshops
BRAND offers free, in-person training workshops scheduled for 11:30 to 13:00 with registration at the MARQ box office. These sessions are designed for children aged 6 to 12 and have limited capacity to ensure a high-quality, interactive experience. The workshops are built to engage young minds with practical activities that mirror the day-to-day life of ancient Rome, from gladiatorial equipment to the social context of gladiator performances. Credit: MARQ education team.
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The show begins at the Colosseum. Tuesday, April 19.
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Protect the gladiator, the shield. Wednesday, April 20.
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Metal legs: Greaves. Thursday, April 21.
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Graffiti with history. Friday, April 22.
Areas of activity also extend beyond the main exhibition dates, with educational experiences planned at archaeological sites associated with MARQ’s collections during the 19th to 22nd of April. The program includes guided tours that explore the site details, settings, and their historical significance within broader regional narratives. These tours are designed to illuminate how the landscape and nearby features influenced ancient life and public rituals. Credit: MARQ outreach coordinators.
Loess training workshops will focus on monuments in the surrounding area near both Tossal de Manises and Illeta dels Banyets, including garden towers and watchtowers by the coast. The aim is to connect architectural elements with everyday life in the Roman world, offering participants a tangible sense of place. Credit: MARQ education group.
Free, face-to-face workshops run from 11:00 to 13:00 and are open to children aged 6 to 12 with limited capacity. The program structure encourages hands-on involvement and creative exploration of ancient technologies and building practices. Credit: MARQ workshop coordinators.
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I’m building my garden tower. Tuesday, April 19, Manises Launch.
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I’m building my garden tower. Wednesday, April 20, Manises Launch.
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I’m building my Illeta tower. Thursday, April 21, Illeta dels Banyets.
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I’m building my Illeta tower. Friday, April 22, Illeta dels Banyets.