Descrizione
The revival of the Angel Dal Foco Theatre.
Another architectural gem of the city is the Angel Dal Foco Theatre, nestled within the historic building that once housed the Monte di Pietà’s warehouses. Its floor plan is quite distinctive: not horseshoe-shaped, but rather mule-shoe-shaped, to adapt to the layout of the building that houses it.
Its reconstruction dates back to the mid-18th century, when Pergola was granted city status by Pope Benedict XIV: to enjoy such a privilege, the community was required to have both a Town Hall and a theatre. Reopened in 2002 following extensive restoration work, which had become necessary due to the extensive damage it suffered during the war (in 1948 it was occupied by displaced persons), today the theatre, with its very deep stage – where, it is said, triumphal scenes of horses entering the theatre once took place – boasts over 250 seats divided into three tiers: boxes, stalls and gallery, and hosts a rich and interesting theatre season.
The building is dedicated to Captain of the Mercenary Forces Angel Dal Foco, a famous and adventurous military leader from Pergola who lived in the mid-14th century. It is said that he earned his nickname following a night-time assault in which, to simulate a larger force and sow greater confusion amongst the enemy ranks, he lit fires on the horns of oxen, reviving Hannibal’s famous stratagem.
