A Timeless Presence on Valletta’s Skyline: The Lighting Upgrade of St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral
Standing as a testament to resilience and architectural heritage, the spire of St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral has been a defining feature of Valletta since its construction in 1846. Having endured multiple foreign invasions and the devastation of World War II, it now shines brighter than ever following a strategic lighting upgrade that enhances its recent historic restoration. Malta is recognized as one of the most heavily bombed locations in history, with over 6,500 tons of bombs dropped on the island in April 1942 alone. For context, approximately 18,000 tons were dropped on Greater London—an area five times the size of Malta—throughout the entire Blitz. While the bombing caused the cathedral’s roof to collapse, much of the structure remained intact.
Since then, the cathedral, the tallest historical building on Valletta’s skyline, has undergone several renovation efforts due to structural instability. The most recent restoration began in 2017 when a site inspection identified serious architectural concerns, with sections of the building officially classified as unstable. Originally constructed between 1839 and 1844 by order of Dowager Queen Adelaide, who sought to establish an official place of Anglican worship in Malta, the cathedral’s latest renovation took even longer—spanning seven years from 2017 to 2024. The neoclassical structure, built from Maltese limestone, required a sensitive yet comprehensive approach to preservation.
Leading the project was AP Valletta, an award-winning Malta-based architectural firm specializing in sustainable heritage projects. The firm was tasked with ensuring the structural integrity of the cathedral while maintaining its original design aesthetics and preserving as many historic features as possible. The multidisciplinary team included architectural and interior designers, master planners, structural and civil engineers, restoration specialists, and research consultants.
The restoration was a substantial undertaking, valued at approximately €9 million. Fortunately, the project benefited from €4.2 million in funding from the European Regional Development Fund. To ensure the longevity of the restoration, sensors were installed to monitor ground movement, allowing for early intervention at the first signs of structural stress.
A Long Overdue Lighting Upgrade
As part of the project, an upgrade to the cathedral’s original lighting was essential. Despite the impressive scale of the spire—rising over 60 meters from the ground with internal dimensions of 33.5 meters by 20.4 meters—the existing lighting consisted of only four metal halide floodlights. While these provided bright, wide-area illumination, they failed to accentuate the intricate stonework and textures on the cathedral’s façade. Additionally, the outdated fixtures lacked energy efficiency and required frequent maintenance.
To address these challenges, world-renowned lighting designer Franck Franjou collaborated with AP Valletta to develop a new architectural lighting scheme. The design specified architectural linear fittings with DMX control to enhance visibility, reduce energy consumption, and provide greater control over light intensity and direction. A tendering process was initiated for suppliers to propose suitable solutions. Following a rigorous evaluation, ESS Ltd., Acclaim Lighting’s partner in Malta, was selected to supply the architectural fittings. A leading provider of electrical and lighting solutions in the Maltese market, ESS secured the project by offering advanced technology capable of elevating the cathedral’s night-time presence while ensuring long-term sustainability.
"At ESS, we are committed to delivering lighting solutions that not only enhance architectural beauty but also ensure energy efficiency and long-term reliability. This project was an opportunity to apply advanced LED technology in a way that respects and elevates the historical significance of St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral, reinforcing its presence in Valletta’s skyline for generations to come." — Manuel Zahra, ESS Lighting Sales Manager
Lighting Criteria: Aesthetics and Functionality
Following a comprehensive assessment of available lighting solutions, the team specified the AL Graze AC from Acclaim Lighting to illuminate the high-visibility spire. These LED fixtures were chosen to meet three primary objectives:
● Showcasing architectural aesthetics – The lighting needed to highlight the intricate architectural details of the bell tower, enhancing its historical and cultural significance. At night, the illumination was designed to add depth and character to the structure while preserving its authentic appearance.
● Providing a sustainable and controllable solution – Upgrading to LED technology was essential to replace inefficient fixtures. The modern system offers a more energy-efficient and cost-effective solution, significantly reducing maintenance requirements while allowing dynamic control over brightness and color temperature to complement Valletta’s nightscape.
● Enhancing the Valletta skyline – As a dominant feature of the city, the cathedral’s lighting plays a crucial role in defining Valletta’s visual identity. The improved illumination strengthens the skyline’s appeal, ensuring the landmark remains a striking focal point for both residents and visitors.
The AL Graze AC is a high-power, low-profile outdoor linear LED fixture with a wired digital communication network. Available in 1-foot and 4-foot sections, it supports multiple configurations, including RGB, RGBW, and Dynamic White, allowing customizable lighting effects. The fixture features a durable IP66-rated housing, onboard AC and DMX drivers with RDM addressing, and a linkable cable system.
Additional benefits include:
● Ease of installation – A direct mains input and built-in DMX control simplified the setup, reducing installation complexity.
● Greater flexibility – Various beam angles and color temperature options, including 2700K, 3000K, 3500K, 4000K, and tunable white (2400K–5500K), provided adaptable lighting solutions.
● Innovative design – A rounded diffuser shape minimizes dust accumulation, ensuring consistent light quality and reducing maintenance requirements.
● High efficiency and durability – Operating at 100–277 VAC in temperatures ranging from -40°C to 50°C, AL Graze AC consumes just 9 watts per 300mm section and offers an extended lifespan of up to 150,000 hours.
The fixtures were strategically installed to illuminate key architectural elements, particularly the spire and its ornamental sculptures. This precise placement ensured that the cathedral’s historic craftsmanship could be appreciated from a distance while reinforcing its architectural prominence.
To integrate the lighting system with the existing infrastructure, the team converted from DDC1 DALI to a DMX converter (64 channels). This transition ensured seamless communication between DALI and DMX protocols, providing enhanced precision in lighting control.
The result is a transformative improvement to the cathedral’s night-time presence. The new lighting not only enhances the beauty of the historic structure but also connects cutting-edge lighting technology with Valletta’s architectural heritage, ensuring St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral continues to stand as a distinguished landmark for generations to come.
Restoration Participants
The success of the project was made possible by the collaboration of multiple stakeholders:
● Client: St. Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral
● Architects: AP Valletta – responsible for architectural integrity, design adaptation, and project management
● Lighting Designer: Franck Franjou – developed the cathedral’s architectural lighting scheme
● Lighting Supplier: ESS Ltd. – provided specialized lighting solutions and products
● Electrical Contractor: CE Installations – managed the technical installation for efficient and accurate implementation
This project represents a significant achievement in heritage conservation, demonstrating how modern technology can be harmoniously integrated with historical architecture to ensure the continued preservation and prominence of one of Valletta’s most iconic landmarks.
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