Illuminated monuments are distinctive markers in a city at night. Accentuating prominent structures helps indicate axes and identify places. To ensure a long-distance effect, their contrast with the surroundings is crucial: large buildings in dark environments only require low illuminances; smaller monuments in lighter surroundings, on the other hand, need proportionately more light. Close to the building, however, high illuminances can produce unpleasant contrasts with the dark night sky. Consequently, the key is to find the right balance between emphasising a key feature in urban space and incorporating it into the surroundings.