"In the spring of 2012, on the occasion of the 5th edition of the International Prize for Sacred Architecture organised by the Foundation Frate Sole in Pavia, I was sent to Rome, Porto in Portugal and Novi Dvur in the Czech Republic to collect images and testimonies from the winners of the first four editions of the internationally renowned "Oscar of Sacred Architecture" held in Pavia every four years.
The experience was very engaging. Especially in Porto and in the Czech Republic with the interviews with archistar Alvaro Siza and frate Romaric, deputy prior of the Novi Dvur Monastery.
In both cases, the very simple, almost Franciscan approach to the subject led the two protagonists to take part in a dense and iconic dialogue, rich in suggestions and very sincere at the same time.
Only after almost ten years, as if through a long process of distillation, can I now present these five pills that miraculously combine faith and architecture, philosophy and beauty, rigour and expressive richness."
Text by Roberto Figazzolo.