Shine Bright! Santiago de Compostela — Global Competition Lights the Way for Spanish Cathedral’s Future
Exciting news from Santiago de Compostela! The city has launched an international competition giving people the chance to design the artistic and sustainable lighting for the iconic Cathedral’s four surrounding squares — Obradoiro, Praterías, Inmaculada, and Quintana.
This project is a bold leap into the future of cultural lighting, blending heritage, sustainability, and innovation. The aim is to transform the nightscape of this UNESCO World Heritage Site into a serene, emotionally powerful experience — all while protecting its historic appeal.
The competition, part of Santiago’s Tourism Sustainability Plan, is supported by reputable lighting and architecture, including Pritzker Prize-winner David Chipperfield, Roger Narboni. They're on the lookout for ideas that combine beauty with brilliance: energy-efficient, heritage-sensitive, and technically smart.
Designers from around the world are invited to enter. Six finalists will each receive €18,150, and the winner could land a project worth €121,000 to implement their vision in the historic Praterías Square.
The application deadline is 19 August 2025, so don’t miss your chance to light up Compostela’s future!
Photo credit: https://compostelanocturna.santiagodecompostela.gal/
