Walking through La Laguna is always a pleasure.
Its cobbled streets, centuries-old buildings and quiet courtyards tell the story of a city that has barely lost its character over the years. Soon, however, one of its most beautiful streets could offer a completely different experience once the sun goes down.
The council is preparing a new lighting project for San Agustín Street, using illuminated projections to highlight the history and architecture of the city’s UNESCO-listed centre.
More Than Street Lighting
Rather than simply installing brighter lamps, the project will use gobos, specially designed metal or glass templates that project images and patterns onto buildings and public spaces.
The idea is to reveal details that many people might otherwise overlook, using light to showcase architectural features, historic figures and moments from more than 500 years of La Laguna’s history.
It’s intended to turn an evening stroll into something a little more engaging.
Residents Will Help Shape the Project
One of the more interesting aspects is that local people will have the chance to influence what appears in the displays.
From 30 July, the Urban Planning Department will hold workshops and consultation sessions, both in person and online, inviting residents to suggest historical themes, characters and symbols that best represent the city.
That public feedback will help determine the content of the projections before they are introduced.
Starting as a Pilot Scheme
The installation on San Agustín Street will initially serve as a trial.
The council will assess how the technology performs, how it affects the historic surroundings and how residents and visitors respond before deciding whether similar displays could be introduced elsewhere in the old town.
The project also forms part of La Laguna’s first World Heritage Site Management Plan, which aims to improve the historic centre while respecting its protected buildings and promoting energy efficiency and sustainable urban planning.
A New Way to Experience La Laguna
La Laguna has never struggled to attract visitors during the day, but this initiative could encourage more people to explore its historic streets in the evening as well.
If the project proves successful, it could become another distinctive feature of Tenerife’s only UNESCO World Heritage City, using modern technology to tell centuries-old stories in a way that’s both subtle and imaginative.