Marco Balich’s Milano-Cortina 2026 Cauldrons – Visulas are courtesy of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, unless stated.

Design. Italian designer Marco Balich has revealed the design of the two Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic cauldrons, set to be lit and extinguished “in perfect synchrony” in Milan and the nearby ski resort Cortina d’Ampezzo, reflecting the connection between the host cities. The kinetic structures will fuse technical precision with poetic movement.

• RELATED STORIES: Read more about Milano-Cortina 2026 on Archipanic.

Composed of 1,440 components with 244 pivot points in aeronautical aluminium, the cauldrons are dynamic structures that expand and contract—from a 3.1-metre diameter when closed to 4.5 metres when open. They reveal and safeguard the Olympic Flame, encased in a glass-and-metal container at their core. Watching them at work will be like seeing a piece of Italian craftsmanship come to life.

The design celebrates the sun as a symbol of life, energy, and renewal, while paying homage to Leonardo da Vinci, the famed Renaissance maestro, and, probably, the first iconic Italian designer. In Milan, he created some of his most ingenious inventions and artworks. His kinetic knots—geometric interlacings that weave together nature and human ingenuity—inspired the concept behind the cauldrons, alongside the playful simplicity of a plastic ball toy that opens and closes, as Marco Balich notes.

In Milan, the cauldron will rise within the Arco della Pace triumphal arch, while in Cortina d’Ampezzo it will rest on a tripod in Piazza Dibona. From 7 to 22 February, visitors can enjoy hourly 3-to-5-minute shows between 5:00 pm and 11:00 pm, accompanied by the evocative music of Roberto Cacciapaglia.

Marco Balich, founder of Balich Wonder Studio, collaborated with Lida Castelli and Paolo Fantin in partnership with Fincantieri.

Making of – Photo via IG, follow @balichwonderstudio.

The Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic cauldrons are more than just ceremonial objects—they celebrate Italian ingenuity, the Olympic spirit, and the seamless connection between cities, history, and contemporary design.

Visuals are courtesy of Fondazione Milano Cortina 2026, unless stated.

• RELATED STORIES: Discover more Olympic architecture and design on Archipanic.

Visual via IG, follow @balichwonderstudio.