| PalaVela | |
| Location: | Via Ventimiglia, 145, 10127 Turin, Italy |
| Built: | 1959–1961[1] |
| Opened: | 1961 |
| Renovated: | October 2003 – December 2004,[2] 2018[3] |
| Architect: | Annibale and Giorgio Rigotti Gae Aulenti (renovation) |
| Structural Engineer: | Franco Levi |
| Owner: | City of Turin |
| Construction Cost: | 110 Million lire[4] |
| Former Names: | Palazzo delle Mostre Palazzo a vela |
| Seating Capacity: | Basketball 9,200[5] [6] |
| Website: | http://www.palavelatorino.it/ |
Palavela, formerly known as Palazzo delle Mostre and Palazzo a Vela is an indoor arena that is located in Turin, Italy, on the bank of the River Po. It was designed by engineer Franco Levi and architects Annibale and Giorgio Rigotti. The arena is 130 metres in diameter. It has a seating capacity for a maximum 12,200 people,[7] and 9,200 when configured for basketball games.[5]
The Palavela was featured in the 1969 film The Italian Job. In a famous scene in the film, three Minis are seen driving onto and over the arena's distinctive roof.
Palavela was originally built for the Italia '61 Expo, and was renovated for the figure skating and short track speed skating events at the 2006 Winter Olympics.[8] As part of the renovation, a new seating and scoring systems were installed at the arena.[9] The cost of the renovation was 55,000,000 euros.
It also hosted the same events during the 2007 Winter Universiade. In 2008, the Palavela hosted the 24th European Rhythmic Gymnastics. It hosted the 2010 World Figure Skating Championships in March 2010.
The arena also hosted the 2008 ULEB Cup Final Eight,[5] and also the same event, under the competition's new name of EuroCup, in the 2008–09 season.[6]