Milan’s San Siro has ‘cultural interest,’ can’t be demolished

By Giada Zampano

ROME (AA) - Italy’s historic stadium of San Siro, home to both AC Milan and Inter Milan, has been officially recognized by local authorities as a site of “cultural interest,” derailing the clubs’ plans to demolish it.

San Siro has been a symbol of Italian soccer for decades, but the two Milan teams planned to redevelop the area and build a new arena, adapting it to the needs of modern football.

However, the second ring of the stadium – which is approaching its 70th year of life – has earned a legally-protected status that prevents its demolition.

Earlier this week, the Lombardy Regional Cultural Heritage Commission confirmed – after a long investigation – that the second tier of San Siro represents a “cultural heritage.”

Such a decision was also endorsed by the Lombardy Archival and Bibliographical Supervision, which highlighted the stadium's role as a “public archive.”

With the demolition of the stadium definitively shelved, both AC Milan and Inter Milan are now considering alternative locations for their new stadiums. Reports by Italian media suggested that Inter may move to Rozzano, just south of Milan, while Milan may consider the metropolitan area of San Donato as its new home.

According to initial plans, both clubs projected to build a joint stadium at the San Siro site. For now, both teams will continue to play at San Siro, which has been their common home since 1947.