• People are seen in front of the pyramid of Khufu, the largest of the Giza pyramid complex, illuminated with text encouraging people to stay home, as Egypt ramps up its efforts to slow down the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, in Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. Reuters
    People are seen in front of the pyramid of Khufu, the largest of the Giza pyramid complex, illuminated with text encouraging people to stay home, as Egypt ramps up its efforts to slow down the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, in Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. Reuters
  • In the eastern Croatian town of Osijek, a pedestrian bridge on the Drava river features the Italian national flag colours, showing support for Italy in their efforts against Covid-19. AFP
    In the eastern Croatian town of Osijek, a pedestrian bridge on the Drava river features the Italian national flag colours, showing support for Italy in their efforts against Covid-19. AFP
  • The One World Trade Center is illuminated in red, white and blue in recognition of the ongoing nationwide effort to combat the coronavirus outbreak. Reuters
    The One World Trade Center is illuminated in red, white and blue in recognition of the ongoing nationwide effort to combat the coronavirus outbreak. Reuters
  • Dubai's Burj Khalifa lights up with a message "Stay Home" reminding citizens to stay put amid the coronavirus pandemic. AFP
    Dubai's Burj Khalifa lights up with a message "Stay Home" reminding citizens to stay put amid the coronavirus pandemic. AFP
  • Office lights of the Lombardy region headquarters, the Pirelli Tower (Il Pirellone) in Milan, reading the Italian words 'State a Casa' (Stay home) during the country's lockdown. AFP
    Office lights of the Lombardy region headquarters, the Pirelli Tower (Il Pirellone) in Milan, reading the Italian words 'State a Casa' (Stay home) during the country's lockdown. AFP
  • The Marriott Hotel in Bonn, Germany thanks all the coronavirus crisis workers with an illuminated heart of lights. Getty
    The Marriott Hotel in Bonn, Germany thanks all the coronavirus crisis workers with an illuminated heart of lights. Getty
  • A man takes pictures of dogs in front of the Great pyramid of Kheops. AFP
    A man takes pictures of dogs in front of the Great pyramid of Kheops. AFP
  • The Penshaw monument lights up blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues, in Sunderland, Britain. Reuters
    The Penshaw monument lights up blue in support of the NHS, as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues, in Sunderland, Britain. Reuters
  • The SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters
    The SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters
  • Lights left on in rooms of an empty hotel read 'stay home' in the mountain resort of Zakopane, Poland. EPA
    Lights left on in rooms of an empty hotel read 'stay home' in the mountain resort of Zakopane, Poland. EPA
  • The window lights of a hotel are illuminated in the shape of a heart after German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the nation on the consequences of the spread of the coronavirus disease in Frankfurt, Germany. Reuters
    The window lights of a hotel are illuminated in the shape of a heart after German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the nation on the consequences of the spread of the coronavirus disease in Frankfurt, Germany. Reuters
  • The palace of Liguria region in the De Ferrari square is illuminated with the tricolor lights of the Italian flag, in a national tribute amid the coronavirus epidemic in Genoa, Italy, 21 March 2020. EPA
    The palace of Liguria region in the De Ferrari square is illuminated with the tricolor lights of the Italian flag, in a national tribute amid the coronavirus epidemic in Genoa, Italy, 21 March 2020. EPA
  • A man takes pictures in front of the Great pyramid of Kheops where a laser projection writes "Stay home" on March 30, 2020. AFP
    A man takes pictures in front of the Great pyramid of Kheops where a laser projection writes "Stay home" on March 30, 2020. AFP

From the pyramids to the Burj Khalifa: monuments light up during Covid-19 pandemic


  • English
  • Arabic

From Giza in Egypt to the One World Trade Centre building in New York, towers and monuments around the world have been lit up to spread both awareness and messages of hope during the coronavirus pandemic.

On Monday, March 30, the pyramid of Khufu, the largest of the Giza pyramid complex, was illuminated with a message saying, "stay home, stay safe".

A light show on the Burj Khalifa in Dubai – the world's tallest building – also reminds people to "stay home" on a nightly basis, and the Pirelli Tower in Milan's lights implore people to "state a casa", or stay at home.

Meanwhile, in the United States, New York's One World Trade Centre was illuminated in red, white and blue on Monday night in recognition of the fight happening in the US, which accounts for the highest number of Covid-19 cases in the world.

In Germany and Denmark, the side of hotel towers lit up with supportive love hearts, and there were also cross-country showings of support.

In the small town Croatian town of Osijek, a pedestrian bridge on the Drava river was draped in the colours of the Italian flag to honour those battling across the Adriatic Sea.