Press Releases

Yesterday evening, the Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, inaugurated the new artistic lighting system of the Arch of Constantine. The event was attended by the CEO of Acea, Giuseppe Gola, the Director of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum, Alfonsina Russo, and the President of the Foreign Press Association, Trisha Thomas.

The evening was enriched by performances from the dancers of the Corps de Ballet of the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, directed by Eleonora Abbagnato, and the Band of the Local Police of the City of Rome.

The project, fruit of the collaboration between the City of Rome - Simu Department, Acea, and the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum, was carried out by the multi-utility using 30 next-generation LED lights to replace the old lighting system, thus reducing the visual impact of the projectors on the monument, improving the color effect of the lights on the arches, and reducing energy consumption.

The new system, with the use of innovative and sustainable technologies, adds value to one on the most characteristics corners of the Capital, a monument with great symbolic value that commemorates Constantine’s victory over Maxentius, one of the key moments in the history of the West that paved the way to Christianity. The project was carried out following the guidelines issued by the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum.

“We have covered and wrapped the Arch of Constantine in new light, exalting even more its majesty and beauty. The new lighting system has been delivered thanks to the combined efforts of Acea and the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum. Our plan to add value to the Capital’s architectural heritage through artistic illumination projects continues. Carried out in the name of innovation and respect for the environment, using low consumption lights, and aimed in particular at protecting the city's historical sites, renowned and appreciated across the world. It is also our way of sending a message of hope during this “restarting phase”, said the Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi.

“Our project for the valorisation of the Capital’s historic and artistic sites moves a step forward with the addition of a new lighting system that exalts the beauty of one of the City’s most significant monuments. Once again, we are honored to be able to contribute to adding value to Rome’s cultural heritage with our work and with the use of LED technology, which offers great color rendering and saves considerable amounts of energy, while next generation projectors, which have minimum visual impact, exalt the architectural characteristics of the monument with great precision” said the CEO of Acea, Giuseppe Gola.

“The almost 500 members of the Foreign Press are always happy to talk about the beauties of Italy. Unfortunately, over the past months we have had to write about Covid-19 and the dark sides of this pandemic. Now, this project that brings new light to the monuments of Rome, from the Pantheon to this amazing Arch of Constantine, allows us to go back and write about beauty and light, which we all know is a symbol of hope. The citizens of Rome, after months of lockdown, can appreciate once again this incredibly charming city”, said Trisha Thomas, President of the Foreign Press Association.

The most recent initiatives carried out by Roma Capitale and the ACEA Group include the artistic lighting system of the Pantheon, Santa Maria in Trastevere, the Old Town of Ostia Antica, the Basilicas of Saint John Lateran and Santa Maria Maggiore, the Dome of the Great Synagogue and Piazza del Campidoglio.