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Yesterday evening, the Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi, inaugurated the new artistic lighting system of the Pantheon. In the presence of the President of the Senate, Maria Elisabetta Alberti Casellati, the ceremony was attended by the President of Acea, Michaela Castelli, and its CEO Giuseppe Gola, the Archpriest Rector of the Chapter of the Canons of the Basilica of St. Mary and the Martyrs, Monsignor Daniele Marchetti, the Special Superintendent for Archeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape of Rome, Daniela Porro, the Director of the State Museums of the City of Rome, Edith Gabrielli, and the Director of the Pantheon, Luca Mercuri.

The event was opened by the Orchestra of the National Academy of Santa Cecilia, who in tribute to maestro Ennio Morricone played some of his most famous pieces, and by the Band of the Local Police of the City of Rome.

The artistic lighting project, fruit of the collaboration between the City of Rome - Simu Department and Acea, was carried out by the multi-utility using 150 next-generation LED lights (7500 W in total), which replaced the old lighting system reducing the visual impact of the projectors on the aesthetics of the building, improving the color effect of the lights, and reducing energy consumption.

With the use of innovative and sustainable technologies, the new installation brings value to one of Rome’s most iconic buildings while offering a new spectacular nocturnal panorama. Additionally, a sophisticated control system was installed to manage all light projectors. The project was delivered in compliance with the guidelines of the Special Superintendency for the Archaeological Heritage of Rome and the Superintendency of the Capital.

“With the new artistic lighting system of the Pantheon, we take another step towards adding value to the cultural and artistic heritage of the city. This next generation LED lighting system exalts the charm and stature of one of Rome’s iconic monuments, visited every year by millions of people from all over the world. The project is the result of great teamwork combining innovation and respect for the historical characteristics of this charming building in the heart of Rome’s historical center. One of the objectives of the artistic lighting project is to support and relaunch the tourism sector at this difficult time, starting by enhancing the beauty of our vast architectural heritage”, said the Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raggi.

“The new artistic lighting system of the Pantheon – said President of Acea Michaela Castelli – is part of a larger project that Acea has been carrying out with passion and commitment, with the aim of bringing value to the Capital’s historic and artistic treasures. With these interventions, Acea also intends to strengthen its bonds with Rome, the city in which it was founded over a century ago”.

“It was a privilege for Acea to renew the lighting systems of the Pantheon – said CEO Giuseppe Gola – one of the oldest buildings in the world and one that plays such an important role in the history of Rome and in the international historical and cultural panorama. LED technology combines the best color rendering with sustainability, saving considerable amounts of energy, while next generation projectors, which have minimum visual impact, exalt the characteristics of the building with great precision. The efficiency of the new installation is guaranteed by a digital control and management system that allows to create different lighting scenarios and is also easy to maintain”.

“The special attention demonstrated by our local authorities towards the lighting systems is a sign of care and respect for the past and the oldest and most appreciated monuments. Adding value to their architectural characteristics is a way of strengthening our efforts to protect them”, said Daniela Porro, Special Superintended for Archeology, Fine Arts and Landscape of Rome.

"The Pantheon, one of the most impressive classic monuments that can still be admired today, as well as an important Catholic Basilica and the burial place of the first two Kings of Italy, is one of the most visited sites in Italy. The new lighting project, fruit of the close collaboration between various institutional subjects, will contribute to enhancing the beauty of the monument and its urban context also at night”, said Edith Gabrielli, Director of the State Museums of the City of Rome.

The most recent initiatives carried out by the Acea Group include the artistic lighting system of 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.