In 2022, the Palace of Spain marks 400 years as the headquarters of the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See. This anniversary was celebrated with a series of events culminating today, 21 December, with the inauguration of artistic lighting of the façades of the Embassy building. This has been made possible by contributions from the Endesa Foundation, the non-profit social arm of Endesa, the Spanish subsidiary of the Enel Group.
This opening ceremony and celebration were attended by Isabel Celaá, ambassador to the Holy See; Félix Costales, minister counsellor of the Embassy to the Holy See; Miguel Fernández-Palacios, Spain's ambassador to Italy; Francesco Starace, CEO of Enel; Juan Sánchez-Calero, chairman of Endesa; José Bogas, CEO of Endesa; and Javier Blanco, general manager of the Endesa Foundation.
The date chosen for this inauguration has great symbolic value, as the Duke of Alburquerque, the ambassador to the Papal States at the time, moved into the Palace as its tenant 400 years ago today, on 21 December 1622. The Foundation is taking part in the commemorative events for the IV Centenary of the Palace of Spain as the headquarters of the Embassy of Spain to the Holy See - the oldest in the world and the most iconic building in Spain's network of embassies - contributing with this new sustainable and energy efficient lighting, which highlight the architectural beauty and historical importance of the building.
Continuing the commitment of the Endesa Foundation, Endesa and the entire Enel Group to sustainability, energy efficiency and technological innovation, this lighting has been integrated into the building with linear luminaires and projectors using LED technology. The lighting can be programmed in warm white or in specific colours for particular days.
It takes just 2.12 kW to illuminate the four façades of the building, 36% less than the previously lighting. This means a saving of 1,752 kilowatt-hours/year, with expected average use of 4 hours per day, avoiding 350 kg of atmospheric emission of CO2 per year.
The relationship between Endesa and its Foundation and Rome is not new. The Endesa Foundation promotes and supports initiatives that foster the conservation of heritage and the creative development of art and culture. It has previously collaborated in two major lighting projects for monuments and artistic elements in the Italian capital.
In 2007, it was involved in lighting the main façade of the Embassy, which it has now updated with more versatile and more energy-efficient luminaires, extending the illumination to the sides of the building. In May 2017, the Endesa Foundation and the Vatican signed an agreement for artistic lighting of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which was inaugurated in January 2018.
History of the Embassy of Spain to the Holy See
The Embassy of Spain to the Holy See is considered the oldest permanent diplomatic mission in the world. After its creation in 1475, the Embassy was housed in various buildings in the centre of Rome, mainly around Piazza Navona. It moved to its current, permanent, headquarters in 1622, which were initially rented, until Spain took ownership in 1647.
The decision to acquire a permanent base for the Embassy was a real political and propaganda coup in the field of European diplomatic relations with the Papal Court at the time. This, and the important role Spain played in the history of Rome and the Papacy until the end of the eighteenth century, has meant that the Palace of Spain, the traditional seat of the Embassy to the Holy See, has always had a significant influence on the history of the Eternal City, resulting in the name of one of Rome's most iconic piazzas.
About the Endesa Foundation
The main objective of the Endesa Foundation, chaired by Juan Sánchez-Calero, is to contribute to social development through projects based on education, employment training, biodiversity, cultural issues and volunteering.
The Foundation's projects promote the appreciation and conservation of our past through common historical heritage and foster the present and future of our society through innovation and close collaboration with other third-sector entities. With more than 20 years’ experience, the Endesa Foundation helps illuminate the talent of the most vulnerable groups and sensitivity towards their demands in order to progress towards a society with more opportunities for all.