Photo Credit: Governatorato S.C.V. – Direzione
October saw St Peter’s Square radiate in new LED light following a delicate refurbishment of the 350-year-old site, delivered by German lighting company Osram. Commissioned by the Direzione dei Servizi Tecnici del Governatorato dello Stato della Città del Vaticano (the Vatican State), the historic square, which lies before the equally historic St Peter’s Basilica, now boasts state-of-the-art, energy-efficient outdoor LED luminaires to provide a unique lighting experience.
Osram was commissioned by the Vatican to illuminate St Peter’s Square bright enough to read in at night. Photo Credit – Governatorato S.C.V. – Direzione
Osram was briefed by the Vatican to provide a luminance level of up to 120 lux; a lighting level specification suitable for reading on the square at night during events and celebrations. Some 132 LED floodlights were installed, providing sufficient brightness and homogeneous illumination for the spectacular square, underlining its impressive columnar architecture, while emphasising the innate colour of the marble. Featuring a custom designed through-wiring and special plug connections to enable simple installation and easy interwiring of the luminaires, the lighting concept also focused on reducing power consumption and avoiding unwanted light emission.
Some 132 LED floodlights (also above), a customised version of the Osram Floodlight 20 LED, were installed in the square. They offer 4000K neutral white light. Photo Credit – Governatorato S.C.V. – Direzione
The new system achieves energy savings of around 70 per cent, despite using around twice the amount of lighting than its previous lighting system. ‘The installation of a new street lighting system for this square had to fit into the well known surroundings’, said Olaf Berlien, CEO Osram Licht AG, during the official inauguration, attended by Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello and other Vatican officials.
The LED floodlights greatly increase the light level in St Peter’s Square and are operated by a DALI Professional control system. Photo Credit – Governatorato S.C.V. – Direzione
‘We had to do this without changing the overall picture. Looking around I am really excited and overwhelmed by the harmony that has been created!’ Berlien added. The St Peter’s Square project follows on from the new lighting system for the Sistine Chapel, delivered by Osram in 2014 to protect and enhance Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoes.
The LED floodlights greatly increase the light level in St Peter’s Square and are operated by a DALI Professional control system. Photo Credit – Governatorato S.C.V. – Direzione
‘We’re exceedingly pleased once again to have demonstrated in Rome our strengths as a provider of complex lighting solutions with the illumination of St Peter’s Square,’ commented Berlien. ‘Given the standards set by the Vatican, anything else would have fallen short. And for that reason this exceptional solution was also the benchmark for the project we are looking at today.’
