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Each evening in Milan, thousands gather to witness a spectacular light and sound show centered around the Olympic cauldron, a phenomenon rapidly becoming one of the most popular attractions at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.
The cauldron, suspended beneath Milan’s historic Arco della Pace (Arch of Peace), draws inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci’s complex knot patterns. As night falls, crowds assemble in hushed anticipation for the four-minute performance that merges innovative engineering, dynamic lighting, and an original soundtrack by Roberto Cacciapaglia, who also composed music for the Games’ opening ceremony.
“It was very emotional, like even the music choice was very inspiring,” said Giulia Orlando, a student from Florence who joined Monday evening’s crowd. “Just seeing a lot of people here together just to see the light show was a joyful vibe. Everybody together.”
The show’s setting carries historical significance, with the cauldron positioned beneath the arch built to commemorate Napoleon’s expulsion of Austro-Hungarian rulers from Milan. The iconic Sforza Castle provides a dramatic backdrop, creating a visual connection between Italy’s past and present achievements.
The Olympic flame itself rests within a glass and metal container at the core of the Leonardo-inspired structure. During each performance, the installation expands from just over 3 meters to 4.5 meters (about 10 feet to 15 feet), while animated light patterns mimic Leonardo’s geometric studies. The show culminates with pulsating elliptical lights as the outer structure reflects and amplifies the flame.
The Renaissance master’s influence is particularly fitting for the Milano-Cortina Games. Leonardo spent nearly a quarter-century in Milan, where he created The Last Supper, designed the city’s canal system, and worked within Sforza Castle. In a nod to this legacy, the castle is currently displaying a long-hidden wall and ceiling painting to Olympic visitors.
The engineering behind the cauldron represents a marvel of international collaboration. Engineered by Italy’s Fincantieri shipyard, the cauldrons were manufactured in the United Kingdom using aeronautical aluminum. This unusual production choice was deliberate, explained Marco Balich, who led the cauldron project and produced the opening ceremony.
“We wanted to avoid having any of the design elements leaked before their unveiling,” Balich said.
A commitment to sustainability influenced key design decisions. The receptacles within the cauldrons are intentionally small, reducing the amount of gas needed to maintain the Olympic flame throughout the Games—a conscious departure from the massive flames that characterized previous Olympics.
Visitors to both host cities can experience the spectacle, as an identical cauldron hangs from a specially built tripod in Cortina d’Ampezzo’s main square. Both locations feature six performances nightly from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. throughout the Olympics and Paralympics.
Balich describes the cauldrons as “experiential objects,” adding that “we made something that has a life, has a spectacle attached to it, an emotional spectacle.”
The future of these innovative cauldrons remains uncertain. While Paris plans to display its 2024 Summer Olympics cauldron in the Tuileries Gardens during summer months, no similar arrangements have been announced for the Milan or Cortina installations.
“I would really hope this object that represents so much can be kept as a memory of this very beautiful moment,” Balich said.
The cauldron spectacle represents more than just a ceremonial Olympic requirement—it has evolved into a community gathering point, technological showcase, and cultural celebration that bridges Italy’s artistic heritage with contemporary innovation. As the Games continue, these nightly performances serve as reminders of both Olympic tradition and Italian ingenuity, drawing crowds seeking to experience a moment of collective wonder amid the competitive fervor of the Winter Games.
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7 Comments
I wonder if the light show’s popularity will continue to grow throughout the Winter Games. It would be interesting to see how the organizers might evolve or expand the performance to keep the crowds engaged.
That’s a good point. Maintaining the novelty and excitement around the cauldron light show will be crucial, especially as the Games progress. Creative programming and subtle changes could help sustain the public’s interest.
It’s impressive that the organizers have managed to draw thousands of people each night to witness the Olympic cauldron light show. Leveraging the cauldron’s symbolic significance and blending it with innovative technology seems to have been a winning formula.
The Olympic cauldron light show at the Arch of Peace in Milan sounds like a truly spectacular event. It’s wonderful to see how the city has embraced the Winter Games with such creativity and innovation.
The fact that the cauldron is suspended beneath the Arch of Peace adds a nice touch of symbolism and historical significance to the event. It’s a clever way to connect the Winter Games with Milan’s rich cultural heritage.
Bringing together history, technology, and music to create an immersive experience for the crowds is a brilliant way to engage the public. I’d love to witness the cauldron’s dynamic lighting and hear the original soundtrack composed for the Games.
Definitely, the setting with the historic Arch of Peace and Sforza Castle backdrop must make it an unforgettable spectacle. I can imagine the crowds being captivated by the show.