The Beasain City Council has completely renewed the interior and exterior lighting infrastructure of the Igartza Monument Complex. This municipal investment aims to enhance the charm of the municipality's main historical and cultural landmark and achieve an updated energy infrastructure. State-of-the-art LED technology has been implemented in the palace, bridge, mill, and surrounding areas, respecting the architecture of the buildings and offering a safer visual nighttime experience to citizens and visitors.
This renovation addresses the obsolescence of the previous system and its high maintenance costs and consumption. The project has integrated four main axes: valorization of heritage, versatility and practicality of use, energy efficiency and savings, and environmental care.
The intensity and warm color temperature of the light have been carefully selected to harmoniously emphasize Igartza's historic stone and wood structures and architectural details. Thanks to the design and configuration options of the interior lighting, the system can meet the lighting needs of various activities, from monumental illumination to requirements for concerts, exhibitions, or conferences.
The new technology has achieved a net saving of 40% in annual electricity consumption, using 28,765.70 kWh less per year. Consequently, 8.141 tons of CO₂ will be emitted less, marking a milestone in sustainable municipal management and the ecological transition. The new exterior lighting directs light only where needed, preventing light pollution and protecting the Oria river ecosystem and its fauna.
Particular attention has been paid to the lighting of the exterior paths. The new lampposts have a corten steel finish, a nod to the iron and rust that are so important in Igartza's history. Furthermore, the lampposts feature intelligent presence sensors that automatically increase the light level when someone approaches, illuminating the path comfortably and safely, and reducing consumption when the area is empty.
Interior lights have also been renewed, protecting the wood and stone of the buildings. The origin of the luminaires has been concealed to avoid obstructing the viewer's perspective, giving prominence to the buildings. Additionally, the new system allows for different lighting configurations, enabling adaptation to current needs, whether for an art exhibition, a conference, a concert, or a meeting.
This public investment enhances Beasain's tourist and cultural appeal. The new lighting and improved light quality pave the way for new opportunities to experience and enjoy the surroundings more, such as guided night tours and cultural events organized on autumn and winter afternoons. Igartza thus consolidates itself as a model of sustainable future, in addition to being a witness to history, reaffirming its heritage value and commitment to sustainability.
The project has involved a total investment of 555,550.76 euros. To carry out the works, the Beasain City Council signed a collaboration agreement for the maintenance and rehabilitation of the Igartza Monument Complex, which is part of the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) as it passes through the Basque Autonomous Community. The project has been entirely financed by the European Union through the EU's Next Generation funds, within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan.
