A new lighting system illuminating the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens was inaugurated on Monday.

The 2,500-year-old monument, which has hosted everything from ancient gladiator shows to the first modern-day Olympic Games in 1896, is a must-see for tourists visiting Athens – as well as a functioning stadium. Today, it marks the finish line for the Athens Marathon, and hosts the transfer of the Olympic flame from Greek relay runners to those of the Olympic host countries.

The new lighting system, meant to enhance the experience for those paying a visit to the landmark at night, is designed to highlight the white Pentelic marble by adjusting from cold to warm light as night falls.

While featuring 3,600 led lights, it will be also reducing light pollution by 70-80%, and cutting energy usage by 50%, newspaper Kathimerini reported (link in Greek).

The small ceremonial event took place in the presence of the President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Spyros Kapralos, the President of the Greek Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, and Deputy Minister of Sports, Lefteris Avgenakis, as well as the Mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakogiannis.

Sakellaropoulou posted about the event on Instagram, saying: “The project is worthy of the importance of the space for the history of sports and culture.”

The positivity was echoed by Bakogiannis, who referred to the event as a “beacon of hope in this difficult, Olympic year.”