Puebla de Sanabria: warm lighting to protect heritage and the natural environment

PUEBLA DE SANABRIA –19/12/2025– Puebla de Sanabria, one of the most emblematic historic sites in the province of Zamora and a member of the Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España network, has completed the renovation of its outdoor lighting with ATP Iluminación LED technology.

The project, funded through the IDAE’s DUS 5000 Program within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan and supported by European NextGenerationEU funds, aims to reduce light pollution, improve energy efficiency, and preserve the nighttime identity of an area with exceptional heritage and landscape value.

Historic heritage and protected natural environment

Located next to the Sanabria Lake Natural Park, Puebla de Sanabria is distinguished by a historic center declared a Site of Cultural Interest, characterized by traditional stone architecture, cobbled streets, and slate roofs. The Castle of the Counts of Benavente, overlooking the town, stands as one of the most recognizable heritage landmarks in the northwestern Iberian Peninsula.

The close relationship between built heritage, natural landscape, and tourism activity requires that any urban intervention be carried out with a high degree of sensitivity, particularly in nighttime lighting, where an inappropriate design can alter both the perception of the historic ensemble and the balance of the surrounding natural environment.

Warm and controlled lighting to reinforce nighttime identity

The lighting design for the project was based on the use of warm and ultra-warm color temperatures, differentiated according to the characteristics of each area of the town. In the historic center, Villa AC luminaires at 2200 K were installed, a tone that enhances the texture of the stone and reinforces the historic character of the site at night, creating an atmosphere consistent with the identity of the town.

In the surrounding areas, lighting was achieved using Villa XLA luminaires with Comfort Diffuser® at 3000 K, providing warm and comfortable light that naturally integrates into the urban environment without disrupting the visual continuity of the historic ensemble. The Comfort Diffuser® also allows for adequate vertical and semi-cylindrical illuminance, improving the perception of pedestrians, facades, and public spaces, increasing safety and creating a more pleasant nighttime experience.

This approach also contributes to reducing the impact on the night sky and local ecosystem by limiting unnecessary light emission and controlling the blue component of the spectrum.

Efficient and uniform lighting on access roads

The town’s roadways have been equipped with Enur L luminaires at 3000 K, combining warm light with a high color rendering index. This solution has significantly improved visibility and safety in areas that previously lacked adequate lighting, such as the access to the municipal sports center.

The project prioritized achieving high lighting uniformity, a key factor in outdoor lighting due to its direct influence on visual perception, safety, and comfort. A homogeneous distribution of light prevents dark spots and glare, enhances user orientation, and allows for optimized lighting levels, reducing both energy consumption and associated light pollution.

A project aligned with sustainability and demographic challenges

The renovation of Puebla de Sanabria’s lighting falls under the DUS 5000 Program, managed by IDAE, which aims to promote unique clean energy projects in municipalities facing demographic challenges. These initiatives encourage energy efficiency, emission reductions, and improvements in public space quality, contributing to territorial cohesion and sustainable rural development.

In this context, the Puebla de Sanabria project serves as an example of how outdoor lighting can effectively protect heritage, strengthen local identity, and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors, all while using energy responsibly and showing meticulous respect for the natural environment.