Taranto Aquatics Stadium
New swimming stadium for the 2026 Mediterranean Games
The new Stadio del Nuoto, one of the main sports venues for the 2026 Mediterranean Games in Taranto, is currently under construction in the southern Italian coastal city of Taranto. The project will welcome athletes from across the Mediterranean region whilst creating long-term added value for the city.
The new swimming stadium covers around 12,000 m² and houses two Olympic-sized pools: an indoor pool with stands for approximately 980 spectators and an outdoor pool
with around 1,000 seats. In addition to hosting international competitions, the facility will in future also offer training facilities, leisure activities and sports medicine services for the local population.
At Rubner Ingenieurholzbau, we are constructing the timber roof structure for the indoor swimming pool. The roof area, measuring around 3,800 m², is supported by large curved glulam beams and CLT roof panels, giving the building its characteristic double-curved shape.
Project announcement A landmark project
Architecture, sport and sustainability
The Stadio del Nuoto was developed as one of the key projects for the 2026 Mediterranean Games. The architecture draws on elements of Taranto’s historic bastions and reinterprets them in a contemporary form.
From the outset, the sustainable use of resources also played an important role. Wood offers a high load-bearing capacity while remaining lightweight and maintaining a favorable carbon footprint. At the same time, the timber structure creates a warm, unique atmosphere inside the swimming hall.
Even the initial visualisations made it clear: this is not just a sports venue for an international event, but a new architectural landmark for the city.
Start of construction
From design to reality
With the start of construction, the plans began to take shape on site. Step by step, the architectural vision is now becoming a visible structure.
The project’s location right on the coast presents particular challenges. Wind conditions from the sea regularly affect the progress of construction work and require flexible planning of assembly and lifting operations.
Logistics on site also demand precise coordination. Several trades are working in parallel within a limited space, whilst large timber elements need to be temporarily stored. For us, this means close coordination of all processes – from the delivery of components to assembly on site.
Assembly of the first timber elements
As the roof structure takes shape
A significant milestone in the construction process is the assembly of the first elements of the timber roof structure.
For the structure, we supply and install:
- 860 m³ of glued laminated timber
- 342 m³ CLT roof panels
- 11,500 kg of steel connections
The roof structure is supported by 26 large curved glulam beams. The longest of these beams reach a length of up to 51.80 metres and weigh around 19.5 tonnes.
Each main beam is first assembled on the ground from two elements. We then lift it into its final position using a 750-tonne mobile crane. Several installation teams work in parallel to implement the complex roof geometry step by step.
With every girder installed, the architectural vision of the project becomes more visible. What once began as a sketch on the drawing board is now taking shape as an impressive timber structure above the swimming pool.
Looking ahead
As the assembly work progresses, the new swimming stadium is taking shape more distinctly. Step by step, a sports venue is emerging here that will attract international attention during the 2026 Giochi del Mediterraneo.
Furthermore, the Stadio del Nuoto will, in the long term, be a place for sport, socialising and community in Taranto – and at the same time an example of how modern timber engineering can combine architecture, sustainability and functionality.
