Satyrion International Archaeology Award

An international award in the heart of Magna Graecia

The Satyrion International Archaeology Award is one of the longest-running and most prestigious cultural events in the Ionian region. For over twenty years, the Pro Loco of Leporano, in the municipality of Leporano (Taranto, Apulia), has presented this honor to nationally and internationally acclaimed archaeologists whose scientific research has enriched our understanding of the past. The award was established to showcase the local territory and its ancient roots, expressing gratitude to those who have dedicated their lives to historical study.

Saturo, the ancient Satyrion

The event takes its name from Satyrion, the ancient Greek settlement that once stood on the coast of Leporano, now known as the Saturo Archaeological Park. According to tradition, this is where the first Spartan colonists landed before founding Taranto. It is a symbolic site of Greek colonization in Apulia, overlooking the Ionian Sea, featuring prehistoric, Greek, and Roman remains nestled within the Mediterranean scrub. Choosing this setting for the award restores prominence to a site that tells the very origins of the Magna Graecia city.

How it works

The core of the program is the scientific conference, often titled "Satyrion, origins and myth," held in the morning at the Saturo Archaeological Park, featuring insights from scholars and award recipients. The cultural program is complemented by food and wine tastings of local specialties, while the official awards ceremony takes place in the evening in Taranto, within the elegant Teatro Comunale Fusco. Over the years, the event has also involved the evocative Castello Muscettola in Leporano and urban trekking initiatives like "Leporano Express," a sunset walk through the excavations, workshops, and park trails.

A network of institutions

The Satyrion Award relies on the collaboration of numerous cultural and academic institutions: the Municipality of Leporano and the Municipality of Taranto, the Superintendency for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape, the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto (MARTA), the Apulia Region, the University of Bari, and Sapienza University of Rome. The scientific committee, composed of superintendents, officials, and professors, selects the winner each year.

Why attend

For history and archaeology enthusiasts, the Satyrion Award is a unique opportunity to listen to leading research figures, explore one of the most fascinating archaeological parks in Apulia, and experience the Leporano area through culture, gastronomy, and landscape. It is a refined, high-profile event that every September brings the long history of the Ionian coast and the value of scientific research back into the spotlight.