The journey of the Olympic Flame for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games is more than a symbolic relay toward the Opening Ceremony. It is a narrative that connects places, communities and landscapes that shape the identity of Italy. During its 33rd stage, the Flame passed through some of the country’s most iconic settings, where nature, history and sport converge.
The stage began in Massa, set against the backdrop of the majestic Palazzo Ducale in Piazza Aranci and the historic Palazzo Malaspina, landmarks that reflect the region’s long-standing cultural and institutional heritage. From there, the route continued toward one of Italy’s most internationally renowned symbols: the Marble Quarries of Carrara.
Surrounded by towering marble faces that rise like natural cathedrals, the Olympic Flame moved through a landscape of extraordinary visual and cultural power. Carrara is not only a place of breathtaking beauty, but a living testimony to centuries of craftsmanship, labour and human ingenuity. Here, stone tells a story deeply rooted in time, shaping both the territory and the people who have worked it for generations.
For centuries, Carrara marble has travelled the world, leaving its mark on architecture, sculpture and art, from antiquity to the present day. The passage of the Olympic Flame through this historic landscape highlights the enduring connection between sport, culture and the natural materials that underpin human creativity.
As the Flame continues its journey toward Milano Cortina 2026, its passage through the marble quarries of Carrara stands as a powerful reminder of the values shared by the Olympic Movement and this unique territory: respect for heritage, excellence born of dedication, and a dialogue between tradition and the future.
