Overlooking the shores of Lake Garda, the Vittoriale degli Italiani is one of Italy’s most iconic monumental sites. The complex was conceived by Gabriele d’Annunzio to be a synthesis of art, architecture and landscape. It is crowned by the Mausoleum, the work of architect Giancarlo Maroni, which houses the remains of the celebrated poet and some of his most loyal companions. Following a major restoration, the site now features a new lighting scheme that brings its architecture to the fore, enhancing its evocative presence after dark.

The project was developed by Mi10Studio, with lighting design by Sarah Giuffrida and Antonino Mallamaci, on behalf of the Fondazione Il Vittoriale degli Italiani. It is part of a wider initiative to enhance the monumental complex, aiming to give one of the most significant sites associated with d’Annunzio’s legacy a new nocturnal dimension.

An ascending journey guided by light

The Mausoleum’s architecture embodies the idea of ascent, a central theme in d’Annunzio’s vision. Light interprets the structure’s meaning, guiding visitors along a route that gradually rises towards the central tomb and providing a clear, engaging reading of the monument as a whole.

The lighting narrative unfolds through a dialogue between the illumination of the different levels, the entrances and the stairways leading from one level to the next. It emphasises the journey’s ascetic nature through the use of white light and RGBW lighting. Red, in particular, takes on a precise symbolic value and becomes integral to the Mausoleum’s narrative. Used at the entrances connecting the levels of the Umili (the humble), the Artieri (the artisans) and the Eroi (the heroes), this colour accompanies visitors on their ascent, evoking the themes of passion, sacrifice and memory that run through d’Annunzio’s life and work. Interacting with the white light that reveals the architecture, the colour accents help create a unified, coherent experience in which every transition becomes part of the same narrative sequence.

Customised Neva Pro fixtures with asymmetrical optics and a 3500K colour temperature accentuate the concentric terraces that define the route. Discreetly integrated into the monument’s pale stonework, the fixtures have been installed using a solution developed specifically for the project. To preserve the Mausoleum’s material integrity and avoid recessing the devices directly into the historic surfaces, the Neva Pro fixtures are housed inside bespoke outer casings made entirely of stainless steel. The casings have been engineered to ensure a clean, understated appearance and seamless integration with the architecture.

Along the stairways, Lyss Mini fixtures with 9°x160° elliptical optics light the way with controlled beams directed towards the steps. Here, too, their installation has been tailored to the site: the fixtures are mounted on slim, L-shaped stainless-steel plates that slot between the stairway stones without altering their structure. Meanwhile, Lyss 2.0 highlight the arches that punctuate the central ring with 12°x160° elliptical optics. Using fixtures from the same family reinforces continuity and improves the legibility of the overall lighting scheme.

Revealing the architecture while concealing the technology

The design intention is to let the monument speak for itself. As a result, the lighting fixtures have been integrated as unobtrusively as possible, focusing on the lighting effect rather than the physical presence of the light sources.

Pivot Mini projectors, installed around the tombs and along the Mausoleum’s internal passageways, discreetly illuminate the galleries that run through the monument. Their soft light guides visitors, gradually revealing surfaces, architectural details and glimpses into the distance without altering the intimate atmosphere of the spaces.

On the upper terrace, Oliver 1.3 and 2.3 projectors, in RGBW configuration, illuminate respectively the entrance to the monumental tomb and the central architectural volume with its four striking vertical openings. Hidden from view, the projectors produce beams that emerge through the openings in the central monument, emphasising its dramatic presence and symbolic significance.

Architecture, landscape and memory

The lighting scheme extends to the olive trees surrounding the Mausoleum, turning them into luminous figures that guide visitors along the terraces. Bright 3.H recessed fixtures, installed at the base of the trees, highlight their silhouettes and enable RGBW lighting scenes that interact with the white light along the path to the monument. Meanwhile, Ginko 3.3 projectors in a jasper green finish, fastened to the trunks with dedicated straps, illuminate the canopies from below, emphasising their shapes, volumes and textures. Light thus extends beyond the boundaries of the architecture into the surrounding landscape, strengthening the connection between the Mausoleum and its natural setting.

Particular attention has also been paid to preserving the historic heritage. All installation solutions have been developed in accordance with the principle of reversibility, minimising the impact on the structure and allowing the fixtures to be removed, if necessary, without significantly altering the existing surfaces. Customised outer casings, supports and accessories have enabled discreet installation while keeping alterations to the historic structure to a minimum. Throughout the project, Luce&Light worked with the design team to develop bespoke accessories and solutions tailored to the site’s specific requirements.

“Every installation solution was carefully designed to ensure the highest possible level of integration and reversibility. The aim was to enhance the Mausoleum without compromising its integrity, using systems that could work in dialogue with the historic architecture and, if necessary, be removed, leaving as little trace as possible. Luce&Light’s support in developing bespoke accessories was fundamental to achieving this result.”

Sarah Giuffrida, Mi10Studio

The project uses low-heat LED sources and RGBW systems to create dynamic lighting scenes, marrying technological innovation with the preservation of the historic heritage. Using the existing electrical conduits also minimises invasive work, preserving the integrity of the monument and its environment. Finally, a dedicated electrical cabinet with smart management systems ensures precise control of the lighting scenes and optimises energy consumption.

The result is a lighting scheme that does more than make the Mausoleum visible: it interprets its deeper meaning. White light guides visitors’ understanding of the architecture and landscape, while colour accents introduce a narrative dimension that evokes d’Annunzio’s imagery. The result is a journey in which memory, architecture and nature come together in a single story told through light, giving the Mausoleum a revitalised presence within the Vittoriale.