Castelló d’Empúries is a charming municipality in the Alt Empordà region of Girona, known for its well-preserved historic center of medieval origin. Located just a few kilometers from the coast and the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park, this town was the capital of the former County of Empúries for centuries, giving it significant historical and cultural relevance in the region. Its urban layout—filled with cobbled streets, characterful squares, and Gothic buildings like the imposing Church of Santa Maria—transports visitors back in time and offers a unique immersive experience of Catalan heritage.

Throughout the year, Castelló d’Empúries hosts cultural and recreational events that reinforce its medieval identity, such as the renowned Terra de Trobadors festival, which attracts thousands of visitors interested in history, music, and medieval culture.

IMPROVING EFFICIENCY BY ADAPTING LIGNTING TO EACH SPACE: FROM 2200K TO 3000K

With a dual goal of improving energy efficiency—achieving over 60% energy savings—and enhancing the town’s architectural heritage, the City Council of Castelló d’Empúries decided to upgrade the municipality’s public lighting with Carandini solutions.

The company responsible for the installation was Endesa Energía S.A.U., through an energy services contract included in the framework agreement of the Associació Catalana de Municipis (ACM).

To ensure efficient and environmentally conscious lighting, different luminaire models and color temperatures were selected based on their specific location and use. In the historic center, Clamod was used as the main street luminaire, while the Mikos projector was chosen to highlight some of the town’s most iconic buildings and squares. For parks and gardens, the Century model was used, and Veka was installed on streets and avenues, ensuring efficient and appropriate lighting in each type of space.

Color temperature was also carefully selected to create distinct atmospheres for each area and to protect the natural environment. In the historic core, a warm 2700K temperature was used to enhance the warmth and historic character of the surroundings. In areas of higher environmental sensitivity, such as the banks of the Muga River, an even warmer 2200K temperature was applied to minimize the impact on nocturnal wildlife and preserve ecological balance. On streets and avenues, a 3000K color temperature was chosen to strike a balance between functionality and visual comfort.

This comprehensive approach not only optimizes energy consumption but also improves the quality of urban spaces—respecting both the architectural heritage and natural environment—and reinforces the connection between sustainability, functionality, and aesthetics.

A SUCCESS STORY THAT INTEGRATES LIGHTING INTO A HIGH-VALUE HISTORICAL SETTING

The lighting renovation with Carandini solutions exceeded the initial goal of energy savings, achieving a reduction of more than 60% in electricity consumption. In addition, it represented a carefully planned intervention designed to blend harmoniously with a historical setting of great cultural value like Castelló d’Empúries.

The new lighting enhances the town’s most important architectural elements, improves visibility and safety in public areas, and preserves the unique atmosphere that characterizes this medieval village. The project also contributes to the town’s cultural and touristic appeal by offering an urban environment illuminated with modern standards of efficiency and heritage conservation.

Ultimately, this project exemplifies how technology and design can work together to deliver sustainable solutions that benefit both residents and the environment, while protecting and showcasing the town’s historical legacy.