Lighting artwork illuminating Tartu Cathedral won international recognition

Created as part of the “Toomemägi Revisited” project, part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 programme, the cathedral’s lighting concept is a dynamic play of light and shades that make the cathedral walls breathe to the rhythm of nature. In the work, the lighting artists have combined the story of Dawn and Dusk with modern lighting design. 

“The permanent lighting design has attracted visitors from near and far to admire the cathedral ruins and the Toome Hill. The lights turn on at twilight – at different times depending on the time of year – imitating the sunrise, the shades of the evening dusk and the glow of the sunset,” said Project Manager Karoliina Kalda. 

The lighting artwork switches on at sunset and changes several times as the evening fades. Until sunset, the cathedral’s arches and windows are illuminated by a warm glow, and when it gets darker, amber lighting solutions are added. In the dark, the cathedral is lit in red. After midnight, the light fades and the cathedral switches to night mode. As dawn breaks, warm light is cast from the ground level, imitating the sunrise. On Fridays and weekend evenings, there is a play of colourful shadows and a light installation depicting a glittering river of stars below the towers. 

When darkness falls, a four-minute fast replay of the lighting artwork can be viewed every hour sharp. Thus, people who do not visit Toome Hill at night can also get an idea of the entire artwork. 

The LIT Design Awards competition was established to recognise the versatile works of lighting designers, taking into account the sustainability, creativity and uniqueness of the design. 

The University of Tartu Museum organised an idea competition for the cathedral’s lighting design in 2022. The winner was an international team of the Belgian lighting design agency Light To Light, represented by Fiorenzo Namèche in cooperation with lighting artists Chiara Carucci (Italy) and Alfred Sà (Spain). The artwork’s electrical design is by MicroWatt OÜ, construction works were led by PVH Ehitus and Electric Works OÜ. The work was supported by the City of Tartu, the University of Tartu, the Tartu 2024 Foundation and the Heritage Protection Board.