San Esteban del Valle (Ávila): Sustainable lighting in a dark-sky environment

SAN ESTEBAN DEL VALLE —24/10/25— The municipality of San Esteban del Valle, located in the Barranco de las Cinco Villas at the foot of the Sierra de Gredos (Ávila, Spain), has completed a comprehensive renovation of its outdoor lighting with ATP Lighting`s latest-generation LED technology. The project, promoted by the local council, aims to reduce light pollution, improve energy efficiency, and preserve the visual harmony of a town with exceptional natural and cultural heritage.

A rural setting with identity and dark-sky protection

Nestled between mountain ravines and streams descending from the Sierra de la Cabeza Aguda, San Esteban del Valle lies at an altitude of around 800 meters and is home to just over 700 residents. Its compact urban layout, stone façades, and steep slate roofs preserve the authentic character of traditional architecture in the Gredos region.

The municipality forms part of the Tiétar Valley, an area of special protection for its pristine night skies and growing astrotourism potential. Within this framework, the Provincial Council of Ávila has developed the Stellarium Ávila initiative, promoting natural darkness as both a scientific and cultural asset. The lighting renovation in San Esteban del Valle fits squarely within this vision, demonstrating how advanced technology can actively contribute to the protection of nocturnal ecosystems.

Warm light, controlled spectrum, and architectural respect

The new lighting system was designed to adapt to the distinct characteristics of each urban area. A total of 208 luminaires with an ultra-warm color temperature of 2700 K were installed, providing a soft, comfortable illumination with very low blue radiance (below 1.63% at 440 nm), fully compliant with Starlight recommendations.

Villa XLA luminaires with Comfort Diffuser® light the town’s main streets and squares, delivering high visual comfort and uniformity. Enur Micro models, fitted with the same optical system, ensure continuity in narrower streets and pedestrian routes. For the Church of San Esteban Protomártir—a 15th-century Isabelline Gothic temple declared a Site of Cultural Interest—architectural lighting has been implemented using Aire® Series 5 LED 2700 K projectors, highlighting the stone surfaces with precision while preserving the serenity of the surrounding landscape.

The combination of warm light, refined optics, and careful luminous control enhances visibility and spatial perception without compromising the town’s historic identity.

Built for endurance in mountain climates

The local climate, marked by cold winters, high humidity, and sharp temperature variations, demands lighting systems capable of withstanding harsh conditions over time. All ATP luminaires are built from exclusive polymeric materials that are immune to corrosion, ultraviolet radiation, and moisture ingress.

Their integral IP66+ sealing ensures total protection against dust and water, while their IK10+ impact resistance guarantees mechanical robustness. Combined with structural immunity to surges, these features enable decades of maintenance-free operation, minimizing life-cycle costs and environmental impact.

Heritage lighting with a measured aesthetic

The architectural illumination of the Church of San Esteban Protomártir plays a central symbolic role in the project. Standing on a hill overlooking the town, the church’s façade is softly illuminated to reveal its volume and stonework without overexposure. The result is a balanced nightscape in which the lighting integrates seamlessly into the surrounding environment, enhancing rather than competing with the historic fabric.

Efficiency, sustainability, and community impact

The modernization has achieved a reduction in energy consumption exceeding 70 % compared with the previous system, along with a substantial decrease in light pollution across the valley. Residents and local authorities have expressed their satisfaction with the project, highlighting the improvement in visibility, safety, and aesthetic coherence with the town’s architectural heritage.

A benchmark for responsible lighting in Castile and León

The intervention in San Esteban del Valle reflects a broader approach in which public lighting becomes a tool for sustainability, durability, and environmental protection. The collaboration between local administrations and innovative industry partners underscores that efficiency and respect for the landscape can coexist with cultural preservation.

By adopting this approach, San Esteban del Valle joins other Spanish municipalities leading the transition toward Starlight-aligned lighting, reinforcing Ávila and the Sierra de Gredos as reference points in dark-sky protection and sustainable rural development.