Light as the very essence of architecture: shaping space and bringing materials to life.
With the completion of the restoration and structural consolidation of the San Giacomo city walls, the historic centre of Città di Castello has become even more captivating. The project not only restored the defensive walls to their structural integrity but also reopened the San Giacomo pomerio—the public walkway running along the inner side of the walls, marked by the rhythmic sequence of supporting arches, now carefully consolidated and restored. The architectural lighting installed at the base of the walls enhances and reveals the forms carved into the stone, making the nighttime walk around the historic centre even more evocative while unveiling new and remarkable perspectives. The use of the recessed LINE collection lamps, with carefully calibrated outputs and beam optics, has made it possible to achieve a balanced lighting effect that respects every architectural detail. Through an extensive process of lighting simulations and continuous collaboration among the professionals involved, a lighting scheme was developed to ensure a soft, uniform illumination that enhances the architecture without altering its identity. Once again, lighting proves to be the added value of the project. Rising from below, the light enhances the materiality and three-dimensionality of the walls, whose irregular composition—far from being defined by simple geometric forms—is made up of a rich variety of heterogeneous elements articulated in space.
Francesconi Architectural Light products transform light into a design language capable of narrating architecture, enhancing its materiality, history, and character with discretion and elegance.
Project led by the Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape Superintendency for Umbria:
Restoration and enhancement of the historic city walls of Città di Castello
Superintendent: Dr. Francesca Valentini
Project Manager (RUP) and Site Director: Arch. Florian Castiglione
Local Partner: Assisi Light (Rivotorto di Assisi, PG)
Installer: Chiocci Impianti Srl (Ponte Valleceppi, PG)
Agency: Double Light Srl (Ancona)
