Its silhouette is recognizable among a thousand. With its large red metal beams, spiral ramps and steep stands, San Siro is one of the legendary football stadiums around the world. Yet the Milanese compound, which bears the official name of Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, may soon be a thing of the past.
Photo credit: AP
A new project at 1 billion euros
A new step was taken by the Regional Heritage Commission of Lombardy, which estimated that San Siro had “no cultural interest” and could disappear. The report, released on May 13, was released to the public on Thursday. The main argument is that the original stadium, built in 1925, has been too deeply modified by the various construction sites carried out to increase its size.
This study was commissioned by the mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala. The latter is very involved in the projects being carried out by AC Milan and Inter – the two resident clubs – to build a new enclosure in San Siro. Earlier this month, the two best enemies submitted two ambitious proposals to rebuild a stadium in the same area. The project, which also includes a leisure sports district and a museum, is estimated at 1 billion euros. Construction could be completed before 2024.
Presentati i progetti per la rifunzionalizzazione dell’attuale stadio “Giuseppe Meazza” e la creazione di un nuovo Distretto per lo Sport e il Tempo Libero a San Siro ?? https://t.co/03rwO4pnNW pic.twitter.com/EiXXMue4Hm
– AC Milan (@acmilan) May 7, 2020
Disgruntled Milanese
The Milanese seem for the moment opposed to the destruction of the San Siro as it is today. In a survey carried out in November 2019 by the Gazzetta dello Sport, almost two thirds of the city’s inhabitants are not ready to say goodbye to their Giuseppe Meazza.
Photo credit: AP
San Siro, nicknamed the “Scala of football”, was the scene of two World Cups (1934 and 1990) and a European championship (1980). Today it has a capacity of more than 80,000 seats. The opening ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics, awarded to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, is slated to take place. It remains to be seen what the stadium will look like in less than six years.
Ugo Curty
Created: 05.22.2020, 12:14 p.m.
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