The 13th Century Cathedral of the Madonna della Bruna and Sant'Eustachio is the principal place of Catholic worship in Matera and is a splendid architectural synthesis of art and faith. The Civita is built in the Romanesque/Pugliese style on the top of the hill that divides the two districts of Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso. Its interior preserves precious frescoes as well as numerous altars used in the past by noble families. After a 10-year restoration process, on March 5, 2016, the cathedral reopened, welcoming back its congregation and the many tourists who crowd the city of Sassi every year.

Curated by the Superintendence for Architectural Heritage and Landscaping of Basilica, the lighting project was meant, first and foremost, to emphasise the symbols and importance of the liturgy. This was achieved through a series of projectors, with both narrow and medium beams, which were placed on the altar, the apse, and the Celebrant's Seat. The fixtures were placed artfully on the cornices, at a height of about 6m, this solution did not alter the visual continuity of the architecture and also avoided the creation of uncomfortable glare.

A second design involved the chapel, which houses the nativity scene stone sculpture completed by the artists Altobello Persio and Sannazzaro di Alessano. The lighting design is a combination of the uniform lighting of the ceiling, which is richly adorned with icons of the prophets exalting the nativity, and the proclamation of Christ's descent to Earth, while also accent lighting the nativity scene statues and holy family. In particular, emphases was created using the skilful alternation of wide and narrow beam optics.


PRODUCTS USED: Museo and Museo Small (Spot, Medium and Wide optics, CRI 85 - 3000K).

Lighting Design: Francesco Logallo - Arch. Loredana Mobilia, Garofoli S.p.A.

Installation: Impresa Lupo Michele

Photographer: Pierangelo Laterza