Advanced lighting control technology from Pharos Architectural Controls has been specified for the comprehensive renovation of Budapest’s Citadella, bringing flexible, robust and intuitive lighting control to a landmark project that reimagines Hungary’s largest citadel as an exhibition space and public park. Standing atop Gellért Hill since the mid‑19th century, the fortress has long been a defining feature of the city’s skyline and a powerful symbol within the nation’s history.
Originally constructed in the 1850s under General Haynau, the Citadella was built as a commanding fortification overlooking Budapest, and more recently has undergone one of the country’s most complex heritage reconstruction programmes. This latest phase of work transforms the site into a major tourist destination, with new exhibition areas dedicated to Hungarian history and a carefully landscaped walking environment that opens up the ramparts, terraces and viewpoints to the public as never before.
The lighting brief called for a scheme that could support the renovated site by revealing the Citadella’s architecture in a respectful yet engaging way, both for the exhibition interiors and across the surrounding paths and public spaces. Lighting designers All Light Kft. developed an approach that balances clarity and atmosphere, using light to guide visitors through the site, highlight historically significant elements and ensure the fortress remains a welcoming landmark after dark.
Delivering this concept required a control platform capable of managing multiple areas and modes of operation, from daily exhibition scenes to special-event programming and seasonal adjustments. All Light specified a solution from the Pharos Express range, with an Express Control lighting controller supported by two RIO G4 devices, each providing four DMX output ports to distribute DMX data to the façade lighting fixtures across the site. An Express Touch 5 touchscreen was also installed to provide local user control, giving the project team intuitive access to scene selection, scheduling and day-to-day operation. Together, these products deliver a reliable and flexible architectural lighting control solution for the Citadella renovation.
Benedek Bogárdi, Social Media Manager at All Light Kft, said, “For us, the Citadella is not just a building, but a chapter of Hungarian history. With Pharos, we gained the precise, reliable control needed to layer the exhibition and exterior lighting so that visitors can experience this history in a clear, contemporary way, without losing the fortress’s character and charm.”
Teodora Marian, Regional Sales Manager Central & Southern Europe at Pharos, added: “The Citadella renovation shows how thoughtful lighting and lighting controls can give new life to a historic landmark. With Pharos at the heart of the lighting control system, the project team can adapt and evolve the lighting over time, creating different moods and experiences for visitors while keeping everyday operation simple and reliable.”
The result is a flexible control solution that complements the lighting scheme, helping the renewed Citadella showcase its layered history whilst serving as an important national building. By uniting heritage architecture, new exhibition spaces and walking routes within a single control platform, the project demonstrates how Pharos technology can help illuminate complex historic sites with care and sensitivity.
Project Credits
Client: Várkapitányság Nonprofit Plc
General Contractor: ZÁÉV Zrt
Lighting Design: All Light Kft.
Lighting Controls: Pharos Architectural Controls
Photography: ZÁÉV Art
PHAROS CONTROLS LIMITED
Pharos Architectural Controls is an award-winning British manufacturer of dynamic lighting control solutions for architecture, themed entertainment, and other specialist industries. Our hardware and software solutions are designed and built in-house, backed by a 5-year warranty, and supported by an experienced technical team. With over 20 years of experience, Pharos products are trusted to run day and night, illuminating iconic installations around the world – from international landmarks and historic architecture to theme parks, airports, stadiums, bridges, shopping malls, art installations, and more.
More information can be found at www.pharoscontrols.com
