New Lighting for Temple of Hephaestus and Philopappos Monument in Athens

The Temple of Hephaestus. Photo © Studio On Stelios Tzetzias

Two landmark sites of Athens, the Temple of Hephaestus in the Ancient Agora and the monument of Philopappos near the Acropolis, now have a new look following the recent completion of a lighting enhancement project.

Carried out by Emmy Award-winning artist Eleftheria Deko, the new lighting of the two monuments completes the Greek Culture Ministry’s lighting redesign project for all the main historical sites in the city center.

The lighting project was based on the technology used to illuminate the Acropolis rock and its monuments.

Philoppapos Monument. Photo © Studio On Stelios Tzetzias

“These monuments are directly connected with the Acropolis and the history of Athens. With their new illumination, the lighting project of the Acropolis and its surrounding areas has been completed as planned,” Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said.

The lighting project of the two monuments focused on the upgrade of the existing infrastructure with new electrical / lighting installations, automation, energy saving and anti-polllution techniques.

The Temple of Hephaestus. Photo © Studio On Stelios Tzetzias

The lamps were upgraded with the installation of new technology high-efficiency LED bulbs. They can also adjust to different lighting scenarios in order to achieve the appropriate lighting depending on the location and point of interest (dome, columns, metope).

As in the case of the Acropolis monuments, the new lighting highlights the architectural elements of the Hephaestus Temple, also emphasizing the monument’s third dimension, and its sculptural decoration through light intensity that resembles daylight.

Philoppapos Monument. Photo © Studio On Stelios Tzetzias

In the case of the Philoppapos monument, the light showcases the sculptures of its facade as well as its architectural structure.

The two sculptures of the upper part of the monument that depict Philopappos and his father, as well as the monument’s southwestern side with the remains of the burial chamber, are also highlighted.

The Greek Culture Ministry’s lighting redesign project was supported by the Onassis Foundation.