Pergola between art and architectural history

Pergola combines historic architecture and art with a landscape of hills, vineyards and forests. The historic centre preserves tower houses, pointed-arch portals and the distinctive Porta del Morto. Other cultural highlights of the town include the cathedral, the Pergola Museum of Gilt Bronzes and works of art in sacred spaces. The individual buildings and works tell stories of different centuries and artistic contexts.

Historic Centre and Cathedral

In the historic centre, tower houses stand alongside pointed-arch portals; the Porta del Morto is another distinctive feature of the town’s historic character. Pergola Cathedral was built in 1258 by the Augustinian order as the Church of Saint Augustine. After alterations and extensions in the 17th and 18th centuries, it acquired its present Baroque and Neoclassical appearance. The building thus brings together a 13th-century foundation and a much later architectural form. Those interested in architectural history can distinguish these different periods rather than equating the building’s present form with its original construction.

Artworks and Sacred History

The Pergola Museum of Gilt Bronzes houses the Gilt Bronzes, considered the only surviving group of Roman gilded bronze statues. The cathedral also contains a crucifix painted on a poplar wood panel in the 14th century and attributed to Mello da Gubbio. Its date, support and attribution give the work its own art-historical significance alongside the cathedral’s architectural history.

The Chapel of the Magi was part of the former Romanesque-Gothic Church of Saint Peter. It has a marble altar featuring an Adoration of the Magi by Aurelio Lomi of Pisa. Another example of sacred furnishings can be found in the Church of Saint Vitalis: it was built at the end of the 14th century and completely redesigned and extensively rebuilt in the second half of the 18th century. The sacred objects used in the Good Friday procession are kept there. Thus, Pergola’s churches offer a glimpse both of architectural changes and of the history of individual works and objects.

The Sala dell’Abbondanza, next to the Teatro Angel Dal Foco, houses a different kind of artistic work: a large installation by Walter Valentini, an artist from Pergola. It complements the paintings, altars and bronze statues with a large-scale work of modern art.

Festivals and Their Dates

Cioccovisciola is Pergola’s chocolate and Visciolato festival; it has brought the town centre to life for years. The 2025 edition took place from 6 to 8 December. The programme included live cooking demonstrations by master chocolatiers, markets and stalls selling high-quality crafts. The 28th National Fair of Pergola’s prized white truffle and local products was scheduled for the first three Sundays in October 2025. These two historic event dates give an impression of the festivals’ different focuses. If you plan to attend a future edition, check its exact dates before travelling.

Plan Your Visit and Journey

Visits to the Oratory of the Assumption are possible only with advance reservations. The Museo dei Bronzi Dorati should be contacted at least one day in advance; its staff are available to provide information and take reservations. Check the current reservation arrangements before your visit. For your journey, note that Adriabus serves Pergola with coach and bus routes. Check current services before travelling, as transport connections may change.

Discover more destinations: Frontone, Carpegna, Sorbolongo, Sant'Ippolito, Calmazzo, Massa, Mercatino Conca, Pieve di Cagna

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