The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics are triggering the most significant accessibility upgrades to Verona’s ancient Roman Arena in its 2,000-year history, transforming the gladiator-era monument into a modern venue capable of hosting the Olympic closing ceremony and Paralympic opening ceremony.
Historic Monument Meets Modern Olympic Standards
Built by the Romans in the 1st Century—predating the Colosseum by decades—the Verona Arena has served as a gladiator combat venue, medieval marketplace, and world-renowned opera festival site. However, throughout its storied history, the monument has never been adequately accessible for people with disabilities or those requiring mobility assistance.
The 2026 Milan Cortina Games have provided both the impetus and funding for an €18 million ($21 million) modernization project that will bring the ancient structure in line with contemporary accessibility and safety standards. The project represents one of the most significant physical changes to the Arena in modern times.
Comprehensive Accessibility Overhaul
The modernization extends beyond the Arena itself to include a kilometer-long stretch of sidewalks from Verona’s main train station to the monument. These upgrades feature small curb ramps for wheelchair and stroller access and dedicated bike lanes, ensuring Paralympians participating in the Parade of Athletes will experience a significantly improved route.
Inside the Arena, the centerpiece is a wheelchair-accessible ramp constructed from pre-rusted steel and Prun stone—the same material from the Lessinia hills that Romans used to build the original structure. This stone gives the Arena its distinctive pinkish-yellow hue and contains fossilized shells from the prehistoric sea that once covered the region.
Architect Giulio Fenyves, whose Milan studio designed the new features, emphasized the delicate balance required: “This is an ancient monument that is some 2,000 years old, that remains active and hosts audiences. The new elements must be integrated in the most delicate and harmonious way possible to a monument that is both robust and fragile at the same time.”
Olympic-Scale Safety Upgrades
The project addresses longstanding safety concerns that have persisted for decades. Temporary railings installed in the 1950s are being replaced with permanent, modern safety barriers along the Arena’s top level. Additionally, new handrails at varied heights are being installed on internal stairways and at all 72 entrances to the tiered seating areas.
Project manager Paolo Zecchinelli confirmed that while the main ramp is designed to be removable, organizers hope it will remain as a permanent legacy of the Games. The local organizing committee is also planning temporary ramps to accommodate not only disabled spectators and athletes but also elderly visitors and families with young children.
Bathroom facilities are undergoing complete renovation by the city, with new ramps being constructed to ensure accessibility. The scale of these improvements reflects the anticipated crowds of 11,000 people for the Olympic closing ceremony on February 22, 2026, and nearly 10,000 for the Paralympic opening ceremony on March 6.
Lasting Olympic Legacy
The modernization represents more than just preparation for the Games—it’s a permanent transformation of one of Italy’s most iconic ancient sites. Work will continue after the Olympics conclude, including the installation of an elevator that will allow people with limited mobility to reach the Arena’s uppermost level for both events and panoramic views of Verona’s surrounding hills.
Zecchinelli emphasized the lasting impact: “A part will remain as a gift to the city, which will help this beautiful monument to be more accessible both to people who tour it and those who attend opera performances and other concerts.”
The project is being overseen by Simico, the government agency responsible for Olympic infrastructure, in coordination with preservation officials and accessibility code experts. This collaboration ensures that the ancient monument’s integrity is preserved while meeting the needs of modern visitors.
Broader Implications for Historic Venues
The Verona Arena project sets a significant precedent for how ancient monuments can be adapted for modern use without compromising their historical integrity. As noted in coverage from the Associated Press, the approach demonstrates that accessibility and preservation can coexist harmoniously.
The timing coincides with growing global emphasis on inclusive design, particularly for major international events like the Paralympic Games. The Verona model may inspire similar upgrades at other historic venues worldwide facing the challenge of balancing preservation with modern accessibility requirements.
For the 2026 Winter Olympics, the transformed Arena will serve as a powerful symbol of Italy’s ability to honor its ancient past while embracing an inclusive future. The upgrades ensure that when the world’s attention turns to Verona for the closing ceremonies, the monument will be accessible to all spectators, creating a truly universal Olympic experience.
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