The Cartagena City Hall will feature new ornamental exterior lighting thanks to Fundación Iberdrola España

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The Cartagena City Hall will feature new ornamental exterior lighting thanks to Fundación Iberdrola España

  • Through this collaboration agreement with the Cartagena City Council, the exterior lighting of this cultural heritage monument will be renewed using the latest LED technologies, which will reduce both the energy consumption of the City Hall and its CO₂ emissions.
  • This future lighting renovation is part of the lighting program activities planned for the company’s 125th anniversary.

Through this collaboration agreement with the Cartagena City Council, the exterior lighting of this cultural heritage monument will be renewed using the latest LED technologies, which will reduce both the energy consumption of the City Hall and its CO₂ emissions. This future lighting renovation is part of the lighting program activities planned for the company’s 125th anniversary.

The Cartagena City Hall will showcase a renewed lighting design following the signing of the agreement between Fundación Iberdrola España and the City Council. The project, with an investment of 250,000 euros, includes the installation of new state‑of‑the‑art LED luminaires with the aim of reducing the monument’s energy consumption and enhancing the unique beauty of this architectural landmark in the Region of Murcia.

The signing ceremony, held at the Mayor’s Office of the Cartagena City Hall, was attended by the city’s mayor, Noelia Arroyo; Jaime Alfonsín, president of Fundación Iberdrola España; and Miguel Ángel Cerdán, the company’s institutional delegate in the region. Noemí Barbero, from VBNB Lighting and the architect responsible for the project, also participated, providing further details about the new lighting system.

According to Jaime Alfonsín, president of Fundación Iberdrola España:

“With this agreement, the Foundation once again demonstrates its commitment to restoring, protecting, and preserving Spain’s rich artistic and cultural heritage. In this case, one of Cartagena’s most emblematic buildings—the City Hall—will benefit from more efficient and sustainable lighting that integrates with and enhances the architectural beauty of this monument.” Alfonsín also highlighted the Foundation’s connection to the Region of Murcia and the ornamental lighting of the Basilica of Vera Cruz in November 2025. He also emphasized “the major milestones to come throughout this year as part of the company’s 125th anniversary.” Finally, he expressed his support for the entire region of Andalusia following the recent floods and damage.

Similarly, Mayor Noelia María Arroyo stated:

“Lighting is fundamental for the City Hall. When it began construction in 1900, it was one of the first public buildings designed specifically to be illuminated with electric light. With this new exterior ornamental lighting, the building regains that tradition and becomes more prominent within the city, with lower consumption and fewer emissions. It joins other monumental lighting projects such as those of our Medieval Castle and the El Molinete archaeological park. We thank Fundación Iberdrola España for its collaboration in preserving and enhancing a monument that, beyond its architectural value, is the seat of municipal life.”

Origins and History of the City Hall

Built in an eclectic, slightly French‑influenced style, it was constructed between 1900 and 1907 by Tomás Rico, with the collaboration of Francisco de Paula Oliver, on the same site where the 18th‑century municipal building once stood.

The triangular‑shaped building features three different façades with abundant decorative elements: broken pediments, elliptical windows, classical moldings, female heads, coats of arms, and more. The construction materials used include Macael marble (Almería), Villalba granite, iron, and zinc.

The main façade, overlooking the Town Hall Square, features a portico leading into the Plenary Hall, topped by the main dome. Inside, the vestibule and the imperial staircase—lit by lunettes decorated with allegorical motifs related to the city—stand out. This staircase serves as the central axis of the building, where the main modernist rooms are located, including the Plenary Hall, the Councilors’ Room, and the Mayor’s Office.

125 Years of Light: A Broad Calendar of Initiatives for Society

This agreement is part of the extensive and varied program designed for 2026 to mark the 125th anniversary of Iberdrola, featuring a wide range of initiatives such as art exhibitions, music festivals, technological showcases, and social events. Under the slogan “125 Years of Light,” the company will launch initiatives for employees, customers, shareholders, and the general public to highlight its legacy and, above all, share its vision, future outlook, and strong commitment to the communities in which it operates.

Iberdrola and the Promotion of Art and Culture

One of the main areas of action of Iberdrola, through its foundation in Spain, focuses on the preservation, conservation, and enhancement of historical and artistic heritage. The Lighting Program aims to carry out interventions in notable buildings to install or improve their interior and/or exterior lighting systems, contributing to the value and visibility of historical and artistic heritage.

In the Region of Murcia, notable projects include the exterior ornamental lighting of the Basilica of Vera Cruz and its walled enclosure in Caravaca de la Cruz—recognized with a perpetual Jubilee for being one of the five major pilgrimage sites of Christianity (Rome, Jerusalem, Santiago de Compostela, Santo Toribio de Liébana, and Caravaca de la Cruz)—as well as continued collaborations with the Roman Theatre Museum Foundation of Cartagena since 2015 and the Salzillo Museum since 2013.