Mexico’s Oaxaca Cathedral Shines with Eco-Friendly Lighting Innovation
Oaxaca’s Cathedral, one of Mexico’s most iconic landmarks, becomes the first historic building in the country to be illuminated using environmentally friendly energy through the Oaxaca Brilla program. This initiative aims to enhance Mexico’s heritage while promoting sustainability.
A Symbol of Oaxaca’s Heritage, Now Lit with Clean Energy
The Cathedral of Oaxaca, located in the southern region of Mexico, has long been a symbol of the city’s rich cultural and religious history. Situated in Oaxaca’s historic center, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, this Baroque-style building is one of the most visited landmarks in the country. The Cathedral is also becoming a symbol of environmental sustainability thanks to the Oaxaca Brilla project.
The Oaxaca Brilla initiative, spearheaded by Iberdrola México, focuses on illuminating historical buildings with energy-efficient technology. As the first building to benefit from this program, the Cathedral of Oaxaca is a shining example of the potential to blend cultural preservation with cutting-edge eco-friendly practices. Oaxaca’s governor, Salomón Jara Cruz, highlighted the significance of this project, stating, “It’s highly symbolic that the Metropolitan Cathedral is the first historical building illuminated with state-of-the-art technology. This program begins a larger effort to highlight our cultural heritage while embracing sustainability.”
The Oaxaca Brilla project represents a $1 million investment from Iberdrola México. The investment will be used to illuminate several notable historical buildings in the coming years, starting with the Cathedral’s stunning Baroque façade. The lighting system beautifies the monument and provides significant energy savings, reducing the Cathedral’s electricity consumption by up to 70%.
Energy Efficiency and Cultural Preservation
The project’s core goal is to highlight ten historical buildings throughout Oaxaca. With this modern lighting technology, these landmarks are illuminated for better visibility and conserved for future generations. The lighting systems offer a dual benefit of energy efficiency and aesthetic enhancement. “The project’s objective is to reduce energy consumption while beautifying these buildings, which will also help boost tourism,” said Paola Martínez, Iberdrola México’s Director of Communications and Social Responsibility.
In 2023 alone, Oaxaca attracted 1.3 million tourists, many of whom visited its historical landmarks, including the Cathedral. The new lighting installation, which adheres to the strict guidelines of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), ensures that the Cathedral’s historical integrity is preserved. The LED projectors were carefully installed on the exterior of the building, allowing for the illumination of the Baroque architecture without affecting the structure itself.
The lighting setup, consisting of 72 LED projectors, was designed to enhance the intricate details of the Cathedral’s façade while maintaining the site’s cultural and historical integrity. The result is a beautifully illuminated structure that stands out even more at night, drawing the attention of tourists and locals alike.
A Collaboration of Experts in Monumental Lighting
The company behind the illumination of the Cathedral, Varona, is no stranger to monumental lighting projects. Specializing in cultural heritage illumination, Varona has designed lighting for over 150 landmarks worldwide, including the Temple of Luxor and the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, as well as historical buildings in Spain, Morocco, Venezuela, and Dubai. Varona’s expertise in using low-cost, sustainable energy systems for such projects made them the perfect partner for the Oaxaca Brilla initiative.
Roberto Lurueña, director of Varona, explained the meticulous planning behind the project: “We wanted to illuminate the monument so that people could appreciate and feel proud of it. While lighting systems consume energy, we aimed to minimize energy use as much as possible. This project was completed with an installed power capacity of just 3,400 watts.”
The Cathedral’s illumination showcases Varona’s technical prowess and aligns with Iberdrola’s commitment to sustainability. By using eco-friendly lighting, the project significantly reduces the Cathedral’s carbon footprint while simultaneously creating a more vibrant and engaging experience for the people of Oaxaca.
The collaboration between Iberdrola, Varona, and local government agencies underscores the importance of combining cultural heritage preservation with modern sustainability practices. As these projects progress, they will continue illuminating Oaxaca’s historical landmarks in a way that respects both the environment and the city’s rich past.
Next in Line: Santo Domingo de Guzmán
With the success of the Cathedral’s illumination, Oaxaca Brilla is already planning its next project: the lighting of the ex-convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán. This building, another masterpiece of Baroque architecture, is one of Oaxaca’s most cherished landmarks. The Cathedral’s lighting is only the beginning of a broader effort to highlight Oaxaca’s architectural treasures, all while using clean, renewable energy sources.
Katya Somohano, General Director of Iberdrola México, announced the next phase of the project alongside Fernando García, President of Fundación Iberdrola España. “We’re thrilled to continue this journey of illuminating Oaxaca’s most iconic structures. The ex-convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán will be the next building to shine under the Oaxaca Brilla project,” she said.
The lighting of these monuments enhances their visibility and aesthetic appeal and strengthens Oaxaca’s reputation as a city rich in history and culture. With each new building that joins the project, the town further secures its place as a top destination for cultural tourism.
The Cathedral’s new lighting design pays homage to Oaxaca’s nickname, “La Verde Antequera,” emphasizing the colors and textures that define the city’s architectural style. The installation highlights the image of the Virgin of the Assumption, which stands above the Cathedral, and the towers and niches containing saints, offering a striking visual testament to the state’s religious and cultural history.
A Bright Future for Oaxaca’s Historical Landmarks
The Cathedral of Oaxaca, dedicated to the Virgin of the Assumption, has been standing for nearly five centuries, having survived wars, natural disasters, and various restoration efforts. Its Baroque architecture, which has withstood at least three major earthquakes, including the devastating 8.2-magnitude earthquake on September 7, 2017, remains one of the most important symbols of Oaxaca’s resilience and history.
With the Oaxaca Brilla initiative, this iconic building—and many others like it—will be preserved for future generations to appreciate. By combining technological innovation with cultural heritage conservation, Oaxaca sets a new standard for how cities can embrace sustainability while safeguarding their past.
The ongoing partnership between Iberdrola, Varona, and local authorities ensures that Oaxaca’s historical landmarks will shine brightly for years and models how other cities across Mexico—and beyond—can adopt similar sustainable lighting projects.
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As more buildings in Oaxaca are illuminated using eco-friendly technology, the city will continue to attract tourists from around the world who come to witness its cultural splendor. The Oaxaca Brilla program represents a perfect marriage of tradition and innovation, highlighting the beauty of Oaxaca’s past while looking toward a brighter, greener future.
