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Olympic Cauldron

3.9 (38 reviews)

Olympic Cauldron Photos

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Reviews With Photos

Ting W.

Great spot to learn some history of the Olympic cauldron nearby Canada place. Great photo opportunity

Vancouver's Olympic Cauldron
Bruce K.

As I continue my travels to try and visit Olympic sites, I stopped by the Cauldron here on the waterfront of Vancouver. The 2010 Games were hosted here. It's very cool to see this and have the opportunity to enjoy the history. My only bummer is that it's only lit on special occasions. The visit of some random Yelper from the US isn't considered "special."

"... May the Olympic Torch pursue its way ... increasing friendly understanding among nations, for the good of humanity..."
Soleil S.

Im completely biased about this as a proud Canadian. I watched every minute of the opening and closing of these Vancouver Olympic games. The comical nature of the cauldron not working in the opening AND THEN the traditional self deprecating Canadian mindset played it up in the closing. The cauldron was a joyous reminder how wonderful it felt to see my country prevail in some sports and exceed what we would have hoped in others. Standing beside it, I really loved how the glass gives that ice crystalline appearance even in the middle of the summer. When I went, the flame was long out but I hear that it has come back to life on very special moments. I wish I could see it lit up but perhaps on my return visit, I'll be lucky to see it. Though it is a big reminder to all Canadians of that wonderful Games, it seems to be a low level tourist attraction. When I was there, most people were walking past it without a first glance... let alone two. And none of the tourist buses seemed to spend any moments here as well. So you never have to fight for a good shot... only maybe with your camera.

Digital Orca
Michelle N.

It is impressive in person. Lots of people hanging out and great view of the harbour. The walkway on the Left above the restaurant gives you a great view of the cauldron as well. There is even a picture of Wayne Gretzky from the lighting ceremony in the 2010 winter games. It is worth a trip to see it in the daytime as well as at night set against the lights of the city. There is also the digital Orca located near the convention center that is fun to see.

After the Olympics are gone, still a beautiful sight.
Simon K.

A standing symbol for this city of a time, that in most Canadians hearts, and especially that of Vancouverite's was one of the happiest times where the world was focused on Vancouver. The symbol of the Olympics, the Cauldron, where it is still standing today, sitting in the perfect name where it should be, "Jack Poole Plaza", the sight even today, with the no fie coming from above is a beautiful, peaceful sight, and a standing legacy. Gone are the fences and gates that obstructed the distance people could get to the pillars, but also gone to is the flame that lit the sky from above. I heard for a measley fee of $10,000 you could light it up for some special event, maybe your wedding pictures, to allow the gas and flames to burn bright! What now sits is the cross pillars, and a clear view of the water and mountains. Being down here I see that some people, on a beautiful sunny day, sit here for their lunch's during the working day. Where once people were here in the droves lining up just for that perfect picture with the famed flame, now it's just a symbol of what once was. You can get some beautiful shots of this structure now, and if you were here back when the world was watching you have that feeling of re-living this moment once more. The terrace above is another nice stretch of design, as it gives you a different angle of looking at this piece of work. In some ways this is a shrine, but one where it is now all opened to the people to enjoy.

Josh B.

I went to the Olympic Cauldron both in the day and the night. It was wonderful both times. It really is a cool piece of art culture and history. It is very visible from the street as it's practically almost near the curb and it's not too far from the pixelated orca statue. To me, it looks like several pillars of ice that have fallen upon each other in just the right way to support the weight of the whole calamity. Then there is a fountain below it as if the fire that used to burst from the tops of the shards melted the ice into the fountain below creating a pool that bubbles and toils with the same sort of contradiction as fire and ice. This probably isn't what this sculpture is about but that is what it made me think of. At night, they light up the pillars with a variety of colors. The night I went, they were lit up in blue. How fitting...blue...to fall in line with my idea from above. Nonetheless, it is an excellent stopping point to kind of take it in and see the cauldron against the background of the sky. You may even catch a seaplane or two flying through your camera's view. I did have to pay to park in order to walk around the general vicinity but there are so many other things to see around that area that it was worth it.

Snagged a photo without the fence
Don B.

The Cauldron itself: 5 stars The fence surrounding the cauldron: 0 stars The hastily-built viewing platform: 5 stars The 75 minute queue t get up on the platform when there really weren't a ton of people on it: 0 stars Overall, I think that averages out to 3. Glad I was able to snag an unobstructed photo of it through a hole in the fence. Sucks that I couldn't get a photo of any of my friends in front of it without getting the damn fence in there. Oh well. At least the dignitaries got to get up close.

Malia H.

This is a cool piece of architecture and is now considered a Vancouver landmark, thanks to the Olympics. I went in the day to see it and it's located by the east side of the convention center. To me, it looks like pillars of ice that are melting since there is a fountain underneath of it as well. You also get a great view of the the harbor as well, so it's definitely worth checking out. I didn't get a chance to go at night but I heard it's even better since they light the cauldron with various colored lights. I'm sure it was even more spectacular when the Olympics was there with the lighted torch. This just means I'll have to go back to Vancouver and see the cauldron at night I guess (secretly jumping up and down inside).

WaYnE c.

I should have brought a Cigarette Lighter or something. While apparently I came when the Olympic Cauldron is no longer fenced in, it's not lit on fire either. It still sits on one of the picturesque backdrops of Vancouver with Snowy Mountains of North Vancouver behind it. It looks more like a Glass Toothpick Hut than a Fiery Cauldron at the moment. It would have been AWESOME to BBQ some Meat on this puppy. That's what I would call "eating in style". YUM!

the fortress of solitude
Evilyn T.

We went to visit the flame after the German v. Finland hockey game late at night. The cauldron, which looks like it belongs in the fortress of solitude from Superman comics, was actually surrounded by a shitty fence because the police were afraid that people would vandalize it. So now all of your Olympic photos can feature you and your loved ones in front of the cauldron that is in prison. By the time we got to the cauldron it was 1am, there was a small crowd and some security guards, and the platform for viewing the torch unobstructed was closed, so you had to stick your camera through the fence and hope for the best. I don't understand why they needed to put the fence up, with the security they had in place at the cauldron it seemed a little excessive and unnecessary. Of course, the next morning they replaced the fence with plexi-glass windows.... just my luck.

Janel Y.

Cool to see the Olympic cauldron...not so cool to gets pictures of it with the wire fence. If you're heading here, there's really no "best time" to go. The place is CROWDED...not only on your way to and from the cauldron but right in front of it there's a mass of people who are taking pictures of it. You can't get very close to it due to the wire fence and if you're tall, you're lucky because you'll get a nice view of it. But still, it's the Olympic cauldron and you're probably closer to it than most people!

Dawn at the Cauldron
Lee N.

Love it and have photographed it at dawn, best time only two of us taking pictures and 4 police. I saw it lit and will forever remember The Great One in the rain with a REAL smile, he was loving it. If you missed it lit then head over during the Para Olympics when they light it again for the duration of the second half of the games.

lit up Aug 2010 (changes colours)
Sachi M.

I didn't bother going during the Games. I like what they've done with it since. The plaza has turned into a nice public space, with lots of benches. It makes Vancouver seem like a big city :) My favourite part is the lounge-chair-shaped seating, facing west. Must be a nice place to sun tan in the summer. It connects to the waterfront pathway all the way to Stanley Park! The cauldron itself and some lighting towers(?) surrounding it are lit up at night, and change colours. Pretty.

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Wish I was at the Winter Olympics, At least I got to see the touch when it was lit.

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It looks pretty when it is all lit up. Good to know where all my Olympic taxes went to.

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Review Highlights - Olympic Cauldron

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In Greek mythology, Nike (Greek: , "Victory", pronounced [nk]) was a goddess who personified…read morevictory, also known as the Winged Goddess of Victory. The Roman equivalent was Victoria. Depending upon the time of various myths, she was described as the daughter of the Titan Pallas and the goddess Styx, and the sister of Kratos (Strength), Bia (Force), and Zelus (Zeal). Nike and her siblings were close companions of Zeus, the dominant deity of the Greek pantheon. According to classical (later) myth, Styx brought them to Zeus when the god was assembling allies for the Titan War against the older deities. Nike assumed the role of the divine charioteer, a role in which she often is portrayed in Classical Greek art. Nike flew around battlefields rewarding the victors with glory and fame, symbolized by a wreath of Laurel leaves. Nike is seen with wings in most statues and paintings. Most other winged deities in the Greek pantheon had shed their wings by Classical times. Nike is the goddess of strength, speed, and victory. Nike was a very close acquaintance of Athena, and is thought to have stood in Athena's outstretched hand in the statue of Athena located in the Parthenon. Nike is one of the most commonly portrayed figures on Greek coins. Names stemming from Nike include among others: Nikolaos, Nicholas, Nicola, Nick, Nicolai, Nikolai, Nicolae, Nils, Klaas, Nicole, Ike, Niki, Nikita, Nika, Niketas, Nikki, Nico, and Veronica.

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Olympic Cauldron - publicart - Updated May 2026

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