History

According to historical record, the Visconti Castle of Pavia was built between 1360 and 1365 at the behest of Galeazzo II Visconti, representing one of the most significant examples of lordly architecture from the late Lombard Middle Ages.

Over the centuries the complex underwent profound transformations, including the destruction of its northern wing during the French siege of 1527.

The walls visible today on the north side are the result of infill work carried out by the Spanish in the second half of the 16th century, closing the front that had remained open following the collapse of the original wing.

Facing the ancient Visconti Park, these walls stand as a significant testament to the castle’s history and its evolution over time, retaining strong architectural and landscape value.

The Project

The lighting design project forms part of a broader redevelopment and enhancement initiative involving the entire courtyard of the Visconti Castle.

The intervention was conceived as a coordinated system, in which the different architectural fronts communicate through synchronized dynamic lighting scenarios, offering a unified reading of the monumental space.

The concept draws on two identity-defining elements of the city of Pavia: the blue of the Ticino River and the warm tones of the brickwork characterizing the castle’s historic walls.

The chromatic transitions between these two components generate an evolving sequence of light that ideally traverses the courtyard, guiding the gaze along the arcades and wall surfaces.

Light becomes a means of connecting the complex’s different architectural elements, enhancing their material quality and transforming the north-side walls into an active part of the castle’s nighttime narrative.

Colour is used deliberately, to reflect and respect the identity and atmosphere of the place.