The foundation Frate Sole was set up on March, 26th 1993, according to the wishes of its President, Father Costantino Ruggeri, an artist of international renown. The foundation started to perform an active role  in 1996 by promoting the quadrennial international prizes. 

The International Award of Sacred Architecture, 150,000 euros worth of prize, was awarded in the three previous editions:

• In 1996 to the architect Tadao Ando for the Chapel on the Mount Rokko in Kobe, the Church on the water in Tomamu – Hokkaido, the Church of the Light in Ibaraki – Osaka;
• In 2000 to the architect Alvaro Siza for the parish complex of S. Mary in Marco de Canavezes – Porto;
• In 2004 to the architect Richard Meier for the church of Dio Padre Misericordioso in Tor Tre Teste – Roma.

More than 200 architects from all over the world took part in the prize.