The Basilica di Siponto by Edoardo Tresoldi has been awarded the “Gold Medal for Italian Architecture – Special Prize to Commission,” considered the most prestigious award in Italian architecture. The wire mesh sculpture reinterprets the volumes of an Early Christian basilica which formerly sat on the site of the sculpture, adjacent to an existing Romanesque church. The scheme serves as a “bridge towards the memory of the place” allowing the public to contemplate time and history.

The Basilica was inaugurated in March 2016, and has since captivated worldwide attention, provoking discussions on new scenarios for the preservation and enhancement of archaeological heritage. The award follows another accolade bestowed on the Basilica, which was awarded the Riccardo Francovich Archaeological Prize in 2016 for acknowledging “the site’s capacity to combine academic rigor with an effective communication to the non-specialized audience.”