In early July, the southern Italian town of Scorrano is transformed into a kaleidoscopic light display. To celebrate the patron saint Santa Domenica, giant architectural structures studded with lightbulbs known as luminarie are erected. There are castellated entrance gates, arched tunnels, rose windows and domes decorated in multicoloured lights so the surfaces almost look like stained glass. 

Across southern Italy, in the regions of Molise, Puglia, Calabria, Campania, Basilicata and Sicilia, these dazzling constructions appear for saints day festivals and Christmas celebrations. Earlier this year, Italy’s UNESCO committee announced its decision to propose the temporary light displays as intangible heritage, under the name ‘Parazioni and traditional light displays of Southern Italy’.