Palestra Itália
The historic home of Palmeiras, where legends were made and memories were forged.
The Palestra Itália Stadium was a football stadium located in Barra Funda, São Paulo, standing on the site now occupied by the Allianz Parque stadium. It was the home ground of Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras from 1917 to 2010, and was also known as Parque Antártica after Companhia Antarctica de Bebidas, a beverages company from which Palmeiras acquired the property in 1920. In the past its capacity was listed as 35,000 spectators, however, even though its grandstands have been extended in the late 1990s, the stadium had 27,650 seats due to regulations enforcing improved safety and comfort, before it was demolished in November 2010.
- Record Attendance
- The record attendance at Palestra Itália was 40,283 for a match against XV de Piracicaba on 18 August 1976.
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
It was one of the most important Brazilian stadiums, considering the amount of decisive and important matches played there, most of them with the presence of Palmeiras. Examples of games played in Palestra Itália include the Copa Mercosur finals of 1998, 1999 and 2000, 1996 Copa do Brasil final and several Campeonato Paulista finals. One of the 2000 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A final matches, between São Caetano and Vasco, was played at Palestra Itália. One of the 2004 Copa do Brasil final matches, between Santo André and Flamengo, was played there too. Besides football matches, the stadium often hosted important Brazilian and international musical events because of its central location in São Paulo, like A-ha, Human Rights Now!, Ozzy Osbourne, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Aerosmith, and David Bowie. On 22 May 2010, Palmeiras played against Grêmio for the Série A on Palestra Itália, it was the last official game played by Palmeiras in the stadium due to the beginning of the new stadium's construction. The last match played by Palmeiras on Palestra Italia was a friendly against Boca Juniors on 9 July 2010.
In Their Own Story
On May 22, 2010, Palmeiras faced Grêmio in a Campeonato Brasileiro match that marked the club's last official game at Palestra Itália. Just weeks later, on July 9, 2010, a friendly against Boca Juniors served as the absolute final match hosted by the venue before demolition began in November 2010. The stadium was also a hub for international music, hosting giants like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Guns N' Roses, and David Bowie due to its central location. Heitor stands out as the all-time top scorer with 173 goals between 1916 and 1931, while Marcos holds the record for most appearances with 211 games from 1996 to 2010.
Reader's Guide
Statistics: First match: Palestra Itália 5–1 Internacional-SP (21 April 1917). First match as the stadium's owner: Palestra Itália 7–0 Mackenzie (16 May 1920). Last competitive match: Palmeiras 4–2 Grêmio (Campeonato Brasileiro, 22 May 2010). Last match: Palmeiras 0–2 Boca Juniors (Friendly, 9 July 2010 – Attendance: 17,786). Largest victory: Palestra Itália 11–0 Internacional-SP (8 August 1920). Thousandth victory: Palmeiras 2–0 Grêmio (Campeonato Brasileiro, 6 October 2007 – Attendance: 22,667). Record attendance: 40,283, Palmeiras 1–0 XV de Piracicaba (Campeonato Paulista, 18 August 1976). Longest unbeaten run: 68 games, Palmeiras (1986–1990). Most appearances: Marcos, 211 games (1996–2010). Most goals scored: Heitor, 173 goals – 1.005 per match (1916–1931). Final record of results: Palmeiras' complete competitive record at Palestra Itália Stadium is as follows: 1572 games played, 1064 wins (67.7%), 319 draws (20.3%), 189 losses (12%), 3700 goals scored (2.35 per match), 1488 goals conceded (0.94 per match), 2212 goal difference.
Did You Know?
- The stadium was originally called Palestra Itália and later also known as Parque Antártica after Palmeiras acquired the property from Companhia Antarctica de Bebidas in 1920.
- The record attendance at Palestra Itália was 40,283 for a match against XV de Piracicaba on 18 August 1976, not against Corinthians.
- The last competitive match at the stadium was Palmeiras 4–2 Grêmio on 22 May 2010, and the final match overall was a friendly against Boca Juniors on 9 July 2010.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Palestra Itália?
Palestra Itália was the historic home stadium of Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras, located in the Barra Funda neighborhood of São Paulo. It served as the club's fortress from 1917 until its demolition in November 2010, standing on the exact site where Allianz Parque now exists.
What are Palestra Itália's powers or role?
This venue functioned as a central stage for Brazilian football, hosting Palmeiras matches with a regulated capacity of 27,650 seats following safety upgrades in the late 1990s. Its most notable achievement was recording an attendance of over 40,000 fans during a match against XV de Piracicaba in August 1976.
How does Palestra Itália's story end?
After nearly a century of service to the club, the stadium was permanently closed and demolished in November 2010. Its removal cleared the land for the construction of the modern Allianz Parque, marking the end of an era for the Barra Funda fortress.
Why is Palestra Itália important?
It holds immense historical significance as the primary ground where Palmeiras built its legacy from 1917 to 2010. Originally known as Parque Antártica after a beverage company acquired the property in 1920, it witnessed countless decisive moments in the club's history.
Where was Palestra Itália located?
The stadium stood in the Barra Funda district of São Paulo, Brazil, occupying the precise location currently held by Allianz Parque. This site served as the heart of Palmeiras' operations for almost 100 years before being redeveloped.
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