MARQ shows the most authentic face of gladiators
In a remarkable public presentation, the MARQ international exhibition Gladiators drew a total of 101,862 visitors. The event welcomed guests with two open doors over a weekend, allowing audiences to approach the displays up close. Italian experts and technicians contributed to the sample removal and analysis, guided by professionals from the Alicante Museum scene.
The leadership of culture, represented by the Vice President, highlighted the occasion as a valuable chance to enjoy and learn. The edition was curated with input from the Roman Colosseum and several other esteemed Italian museum institutions. Acknowledging the exhibition’s reach, officials celebrated surpassing the 100,000 visitor milestone and signaled a commitment to sustaining the collaboration that shapes the local archaeological museum and the wider Alicante province.
Spanning seven months and three temporary rooms, the Gladiators exhibit transported the public into the world of ancient combat and the social dynamics of the Roman era. The project, powered by the Alicante County Council with the support of the Provincial Archaeological Museum and the MARQ Foundation, opened a window into the culture around these warriors. Visitors explored the crafts of training, discipline, codes of conduct, and the risks involved, while also encountering stories of ambition, fame, aspiration, and the occasional escape from hardship.
This experience offered a structured journey through a discipline that intertwined sport, ritual, and social order, revealing how gladiatorial life resonated through centuries and continues to captivate modern imagination. The program emphasized the educational potential of archaeology, inviting families, students, and curious adults to reflect on what these artifacts reveal about daily life and power in ancient societies.
Additionally, the exhibition demonstrated how collaboration among major museums strengthens scientific exchange and public understanding. Notable Italian institutions contributing to the project included a number of renowned museums and archaeological parks, each bringing artifacts, context, and expertise to the display. The partnership illustrated how cultural exchange can extend the reach of local museums and enrich the learning experience for visitors from diverse backgrounds.
Source of visits
In terms of international participation, visitors came from a broad array of countries with Britain, France, Italy, and Eastern European nations among the most represented. Seasonal trends showed peak attendance during July, August, and September, when audiences are most engaged with cultural programming.
Among Spanish visitors, the majority originated from within the country itself, with a significant share from Alicante. Regions including Madrid, Castilla La Mancha, Murcia, Castilla y León, and Andalusia contributed notably to daytime and weekend footfall. During the open days, the exhibition attracted approximately 100,000 attendees, who were welcomed with a token gift provided by the MARQ Foundation as a gesture of appreciation for public support.
As a reminder of the international scope, the collaboration drew on the expertise of several leading Italian cultural institutions. The Naples National Archaeological Museum and the Rome National Museum of Rome provided valuable context, while the Colosseum Archaeological Park in Rome and other Italian parks contributed artifacts and scholarly interpretation. The Paestum e Velia Archaeological Park in Paestum and the Roman Amphitheatre Archaeological Park offered comparative material, along with the Antiquarium Alda Levi in Milan. Other participating entities included the National Archaeological Museum of Aquileia, the Rieti City Museum, and the Belle Arti e Paesaggio for Sopraintendenza Archeologia in Bologna and Modena, plus Regio Emilia and Ferrara.
Through these collaborations, the MARQ Foundation and the Provincial Archaeological Museum underscore the enduring value of archaeological storytelling. The gladiators theme continues to spark curiosity about ancient sports, public life, and the human stories behind historical objects. The exhibition illustrates how museums function as living classrooms that connect past and present, inviting ongoing learning and dialogue about cultural heritage.
At its core, the Gladiators show demonstrates how the past can illuminate contemporary questions about discipline, risk, fame, and communal identity. Visitors depart with a heightened appreciation for how ancient entertainment shaped social norms and how modern museums preserve and interpret that legacy for current and future generations. This is not merely about relics; it is about the people, places, and practices that built a civilization and still inspire inquiry today.