The archaeological site of the ancient Roman city of Peltuinum has been beautifully illuminated with exciting transitions of white light, under the impeccable lighting design and artistic direction of architect and lighting designer Francesca Storaro, thanks to the Mayor of Prata d’Ansidonia, Paolo Eusani.
Founded by the Romans in the 1st century B.C. in the territory previously inhabited by the Vestini, Peltuinum—now part of the municipality of Prata d’Ansidonia, in the province of L’Aquila—played a strategic role in controlling the trade routes linked to transhumance paths. By the turn of the 1st century A.D., the urban area of Peltuinum was strengthened with the construction of a city wall and a monumental area featuring a temple overlooking a large forum and a theater, reflecting the city’s cultural vitality.
The archaeological area is set in a breathtaking landscape, in the Popoli valley, nestled between the Gran Sasso mountain range and the Sirente-Velino Natural Park. Built along the edge of the plateau that defined the urban area, the city wall of Peltuinum, made from locally sourced materials, extended around the town following the irregular contours of the land. The focus on defense, especially along the less steep part of the plateau, which was more easily accessible, is evidenced by the presence of numerous towers.
In the 5th century A.D., a strong earthquake likely struck the city, causing its gradual abandonment and subsequent looting. Only 500 meters of the original city walls, from the western gate to the northern side of the ancient fortifications, have survived to this day, as a testament to the grandeur of the Roman civilization in this area. Outside the fortifications, along the road leading into the city, a monumental tomb can still be seen, though its current remains consist only of the concrete core.
Francesca Storaro unveils the thinking behind the concept she created: “Its ancient role as a commercial hub in the transhumance road network is the main essence behind the birth of this city: TRANSHUMANCE, the seasonal migration of flocks, herds, and shepherds moving from pastures located in hilly or mountainous areas (in the summer) to those in the plains (in the winter), following the natural paths of the tratturi. The word ‘transhumance’ derives from the verb ‘transumare,’ meaning ‘to cross,’ ‘to pass over the land.’ It is therefore a PASSAGE, a JOURNEY, a CROSSING, and I wanted to translate this concept through the language of light, to make a journey through the LIGHT itself. The journey through the color temperature is the journey through the white light itself, the transition from the Sun to the Moon, from warm Solar tones to cool Lunar tones. It is a journey, a TRANSHUMANCE OF LIGHT, from Day to Night, from Summer to Winter (the seasons of transhumance), from the Sun to the Moon.”
The lighting designer adds: “The illumination of the Peltuinum city walls features dual lighting: one with an architectural focus, emphasizing the morphological and material structure, and another for events, interpretive in nature. This lighting is achieved through the same dynamic white LED projectors that normally illuminate the walls, which allow, with a simple DALI DT8 management system, the variation of white light color temperatures and luminous flux.”
The Monumental Tomb and the city walls of the site will thus be enhanced and enveloped by an initial warm color temperature (2200K) symbolizing the Sun, which, starting from the West Gate, gradually shifts to a celestial color temperature (6500K) symbolizing the Moon. Thus, we will have traversed the city wall and, at the same time, LIGHT itself.”
Francesca Storaro has therefore developed a complex lighting design project based on the alternation of white tones in different color temperatures, capable of creating dramatic visual and emotional effects on the archaeological site. The project will represent four different scenarios:
Scene 1: ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING (3500K)
Scene 2: EVENT LIGHTING: JOURNEY THROUGH LIGHT (2200-6500K)
Scene 3: EVENT LIGHTING: THE SUN, THE DAY, THE SUMMER (2200K)
Scene 4: EVENT LIGHTING: THE MOON, THE NIGHT, THE WINTER (6500K).
For the implementation of the design, 73 GRIVEN luminaires tunable white versions with a customizable adjustment between 2200K and 6500K were used to allow for the widest fluctuation of white light from intense amber tones to delicate cerulean shades. To illuminate the areas of the site of varying sizes and heights with perfectly uniform and elegant light distribution in all contexts, the luminaires were equipped with extra-wide 61° standard optics or, depending on the areas to be illuminated, custom 25°x60° optics.
All lighting fixtures are equipped with snoots and honeycomb anti-glare filters for safe lighting without undesirable effects of disturbance and are managed by an innovative DALI DT8 control system to ensure maximum flexibility in programming fixed or dynamic scenes. The devices were also placed inside custom-made metal housings to ensure maximum safety for visitors and to protect the integrity of the products.
