Monreale Cathedral
Client
Comune di Monreale, Archdiocese of Monreale
Project location
Monreale, Italy
Project date
2023
Zumtobel integrates technology and heritage conservation into a unique lighting solution.
Zumtobel has developed a customised lighting solution that meets the specific requirements of the cathedral. Rectangular project luminaires were mounted on the capitals of the columns, secured solely by gravity to avoid damaging the building's structure. These luminaires enable both direct lighting of the church space and indirect lighting towards the ceiling. They are complemented by round VIVO II spotlights that specifically highlight altars and artworks.
Restoration of Monreale Cathedral: Lighting for a UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Cathedral of Monreale in Sicily, a masterpiece of Norman architecture from the 12th century, is renowned for its 6,500 m² of golden mosaics. As part of a comprehensive restoration, the outdated lighting was replaced with a modern LED solution from Zumtobel to emphasise the artistic details of the mosaics while maintaining the historical character of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Innovative products for impressive lighting design.
The luminaires used are distinguished by excellent colour rendering and minimal heat emission, which is crucial for preserving the sensitive mosaics. The combination of project luminaires and VIVO II spotlights creates a balanced lighting atmosphere that highlights the artistic details and accentuates the spiritual character of the space.
Modern technology serving historical architecture
All of the lighting is controlled by the LITECOM lighting management system, which allows for various scenarios for church services, guided tours, and events. The energy-efficient LED technology reduces power consumption and minimises heat emission, which contributes to the preservation of the historical building structure. The installation is fully reversible, allowing future modifications without altering the cathedral's structure.
"Our bespoke lighting solution highlights the unique character of the sacred space in a particularly moving manner - installed sensitively and discreetly in the background"
Holger Leibmann, Project Manager at Zumtobel
Individual lighting control for any situation
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