10 May 2017

The art of illuminating art

Since 1989, the Endesa Foundation has invested in improving the efficiency of the architectural lighting of civil and religious buildings.

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Santa María de la Seu Collegiate Church. Manresa, Barcelona. (14th Century)

Las Donadas Bridge. Montoro, Cordoba. (16th Century)

Burgos University – Hospital del Rey (16th Century)

Capella del Santissim, Palma de Mallorca

Carboneras Town Hall, Almeria. (19th Century)

Photos of buildings illuminated by the Endesa Foundation

Important monuments in Spain, such as the Palma Cathedral, could not be enjoyed at night if it were not for the meticulous architectural lighting that accentuates these monuments in all their glory. Illuminating art is an artistic task in itself; a unique way of contributing towards heritage preservation. This is what the Endesa Foundation has been doing for 30 years. To do so, the most advanced energy efficiency and innovative solutions are applied, which also contribute to achieving efficient energy use and greater energy savings.

Since 1989, the Endesa Foundation has been contributing towards the preservation of some of Spain’s most prominent works of art, including religious and civil buildings, in the best way possible known to a power company: by providing architectural lighting for monuments, museums, works of art and notable buildings.

The cathedrals of Burgos, Palma de Mallorca, Zamora, the Thyssen Museum, the National Archaeological Museum or the Canfranc Station… Approximately 700 eminent monuments across Spain have been illuminated by the Endesa Foundation.

“Providing good lighting is an art form. We want to really highlight the artistic wealth of each monument, thus contributing to the preservation of the rich and valuable heritage of Spain.”

Gloria Juste, Head of Projects at the Endesa Foundation.

The work carried out by the Endesa Foundation in its lighting projects is not just about sponsorship. They are proactively involved from the start of the process until the end. From choosing the monument that needs to be featured with lighting, to sourcing the most qualified providers for each project.

Artistic and efficient lighting

It is not just about providing light. The Endesa Foundation’s projects are based on artistic architectural lighting. The aim is to highlight the wealth of the monument, its shapes and volumes, accentuating its beauty. To do so, the most advanced energy saving and energy optimisation techniques are used.

The Endesa Foundation has noted that well-lit buildings become a mandatory part of night tours and reference points on sightseeing tours of cities. This helps to promote cultural tourism, which ultimately benefits cities whose economic development is based on the promotion and projection of their historical heritage.

Mérida Roman theater illuminated by Endesa Sevillana Foundation.

Photos of buildings illuminated by the Endesa Foundation

Throughout the years, since its start, the Endesa Foundation has carried out lighting projects on some of the most significant places of worship in Spain. The cloister of the Santo Domingo de la Calzada Romanesque Cathedral in La Rioja, or the Passion Façade of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, are just a couple of examples. But also in other countries too. The Endesa Foundation’s architectural lighting work extends to projects in Portugal, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Bolivia and Italy. They have provided lighting for emblematic spaces such as the Santiago de Chile Cathedral or the Government Palace in Lima, Peru.

The lighting projects carried out on monuments in the south of Spain by Endesa Foundation should also be mentioned. Over the years, in the field of lighting, it has become a point of reference in Andalusia and Extremadura, illuminating the most emblematic monuments in the area. The Almeria cathedral, the cathedral-mosque in Cordoba, the Emérita Augusta Roman Bridge in Merida or the Huelva University are just a few examples of the extensive architectural lighting projects carried out by this Foundation.

But not only religious buildings have been lit up. The Endesa Foundation has also helped illuminate important museums such as the Reina Sofía Museum or the Sorolla Museum. Providing lighting for places that are home to great works of art was a considerable challenge for the Endesa Foundation.

“When we look at a Picasso painting, it is important to really distinguish the colours and to make sure there are no shadows. This is what the Endesa Foundation has achieved with the illumination of the Picasso Museum in Malaga”, Gloria Juste explains. That is why this task is so important; it is not only about saving and achieving energy efficiency, but also about promoting the country's heritage in the most artistic form possible, illuminating art in an artful way.