An ancient Greek theatre in Italy is lighting up in an effort to stay open later in the evening to allow travellers to explore the historic structure after the sun has set.
The Teatro Greco – an ancient theatre in Taormina – was built in Sicily in the third-century BC and is now used for theatrical performances and concerts. To keep the theatre open to visitors later, new lighting was commissioned by the Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity.
The new lights, from company iGuzzini, not only show off the amazing classical architecture at night, but allow visitors to access the theatre safely. They were added in a way so that the lights remain hidden wherever possible, in order to create a “realistic effect and succeed in reproducing the subtle colours of dusk”.
The incredible horse-shaped theatre is the top site in Taormina – with incredible views of the sea and Mt Etna in the distance. Now, it hosts events ranging from operas, to rock concerts and film festivals.
"The fact that architecture and light are inseparably bound is well known. This is why this project, in addition to satisfying lighting and energy requirements, also boasts the added value of accurately highlighting architectural and archaeological features, like the ruins surrounding the summa cavea (upper auditorium). These are perceived as significant parts of the site, and enrich the visitor's experience both educationally and emotionally,” said architect Vera Greco, head of the Naxos Archaeological Park.