Two Cities, One Flame: Historic Double Lighting for Winter Olympics 2026
KYIV — The organizers of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games have unveiled the designs for the Olympic cauldrons, celebrating the artistic legacy of Leonardo da Vinci. For the first time in Olympic history, two flames will be lit and extinguished simultaneously in two separate cities — Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Inspired by da Vinci’s intricate patterns, the cauldrons are sun-shaped and feature a mechanism that allows them to expand from 3.1 to 4.5 meters in diameter. The Olympic flame will be contained in a special glass-and-metal enclosure at the base. The Milan cauldron will be installed near the iconic Arco della Pace, while the Cortina cauldron will be located in Piazza Dibona.
The simultaneous lighting of the flames is scheduled for February 6, with extinguishing on February 22. The cauldrons will be relit for the Paralympic Games from March 6 to 15. Milan will also host a festive evening program featuring a special light show near the city cauldron, lasting up to five minutes and repeated every hour for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.
