From the celestial light to architecture:

light and shadow as variables of the spiritual experience of architectural astronomical heritage.

Abstract

In addition to being a tangible phenomenon, light is a fundamental symbolic and spiritual element of architecture, capable of shaping atmospheres, stimulating sensory experiences and establishing a link between the built environment and the cosmos. The present essay explores the interaction between architecture, light and spirituality in the context of astronomical heritage, highlighting how ancient societies used light in architecture as a mediating element between human beings and the cosmos. Through the exploration of various cases of architectural astronomical heritage, this essay aims to understand how the use of light in architecture reveals itself as an essential instrument of cosmological interpretation, promoting a continuity between science, spirituality, the Sacred and the sensitive experience of time, where celestial light operates as a tangible link between the Earth and the sky.