Rieti, situated in the northeast of Lazio, is a city with a strong bond to its past and a growing desire for the future.
Along the Velino River, at the foot of Mount Terminillo, the town proudly claims the title “centre of Italy” thanks to its symbolic geographic position.
Rieti is a fascinating blend of eras: Roman history, with the Via Salaria and the bridge over the Velino; medieval alleys of the historic centre; and Renaissance and Baroque palaces that testify to a deeply rooted past. Every corner tells a piece of history.
Not only memory: Rieti is an integrated system of nature, sport, community, and development. The mountains, lakes, and villages of the Sabina area, together with the landscape surrounding the city, offer tourism and wellness opportunities that will best welcome visitors to “Rieti 2026”.
Athletics and the Raul Guidobaldi Stadium stand out as elements of excellence and symbols of Rieti’s ability to host international-level sporting events. For decades, the venue hosted the prestigious Rieti Meeting, one of the world’s leading one-day athletics events, during which eight world records were set, including Asafa Powell’s 100 meters in 2007.
Still on the record list is Noah Ngeny’s 1000 meters from 1999 (2:11.96), while Daniel Komen’s 3000 meters (7:20.67) was surpassed after 28 years.
For over 60 years, the Guidobaldi has welcomed young athletes from local schools, and the rising stars of the Alco Rieti club, and, later, the Studentesca Andrea Milardi. In addition, as a winning combination of youth activity and elite athletics, it is also the training centre for long jump world champion Mattia Furlani.
In the past, Guidobaldi Stadium has hosted training sessions for many Italian and international stars. An ideal venue for regional and national competitions, it now awaits the European Athletics U18 Championships after having hosted the European U20 Championships in 2013.