Overview
- A 1.2‑metre illuminated sphere was installed on October 26, 2026 and now lights the gate's middle passage as technicians carry out the upgrade.
- The existing lighting from 2002 has become failure-prone and spare parts are scarce, prompting a full retrofit to modern LED fixtures.
- Crews will replace 281 fixtures in a project reported to cost about €1.2 million with the new system due to be commissioned in early December 2026.
- Regular façade lighting has been switched off and parts of the monument are temporarily cordoned, but the central passage remains open and lit by the moon lamp.
- Officials say the LED retrofit should cut energy use by up to 40 percent and the temporary moon lamp will be redeployed elsewhere after the new system goes live.