Giuseppe Meazza Stadium
In 1925, Piero Pirelli, Presidente of "Milan" (Chairman of Milan football club) pressed for a football stadium to be built in the vicinity of the "ippodromo per il trotto"(horse trotting racing track).The structure designed by engineer Alberto Cugini and architect Ulisse Stacchini was composed of four rectilinear stands, one of which was a partially covered grandstand and could hold up to 35,000 spectators.
After buying the San Siro Stadium in 1935, the Comune di Milano (Municipality of Milan) set in motion the first operation aimed at enlarging the structure by constructing four "curve" or rings linking the stands together thus increasing the capacity of the two main stands. By the time the extension work, followed by Ingegnere Bertera and Architetto Perlasca, was completed and Italy's top stadium handed back to the Milanese there was room for 55,000 fans.
Created for Milan team's home games, the stadium became "terreno amico" or a friendly ground for the Inter team as well starting from the 1947-1948 season.
Further extension work to the huge stadium produced a drastic transformation in 1955. The rebuilding project was designed by Ingegnere Ferruccio Calzolari and Architect Armando Ronca. A supporting structure for a second ring of tiers overlooking and partly covering the old stands was created.
Total seating capacity was increased so that the stadium could hold 100,000 spectators. Precautionary measures, dictated by safety requirements, later reduced the number of places available to 85,000; divided between seating for approximately 60,000 spectators and standing room for the rest.
From an architectural point of view the Stadium had a more modern image after the wide, winding ramps were installed allowing access to the second ring.
Work to implement a lighting system for night time matches goes back all the way to 1957. Ten years later the luminous electronic score board was fixed up for all to see.
In 1980 "il tempio del Calcio" (the temple of football) was named after famous footballer Giuseppe Meazza who played for local teams Inter and Milan in his memory.
In 1990in order to prepare for the occasion of the World Soccer championships the stadium was enhanced with a controversial sliding roof supported on massive external pillars.
A particularly popular competition held at San Siro is the local derby between the city's two teams, Inter and AC Milan.
