“DOMENICO FORGES DAVANZATI” SCHOOL BUILDING
Cent. 20th
The local residents call this building “U scolastk”. It was designed by the engineers Michele and Vincenzo Danisi and built by Giovanni Mitaritonna. This school building was the first to be built in Palo del Colle, as previously schools has been housed in whichever space could be found, such as the Palazzo del Principe until 1925, in the former Dominican monastery or in private homes. The school was opened on 22nd April 1928 in the presence of local and national authorities, and following the suggestion of the head teacher Francesco Polito, was named after the illustrious resident of Palo, Domenico Forges Davanzati, who lived between 1742 and 1810, and was Bishop of Canosa, a writer and scholar, and a member of the government of the Parthenopean Republic. A marble inscription at the entrance is dedicated to him. The building has the shape of a letter C, with a central section and two side wings which create an open space at the back used for P.E. or other activities. It is a perfectly symmetrical architectural structure, in line with the style of the times and replicated in other schools in the province of Bari.
The main façade stands out while the side façades are set back. The central part of the main façade catches the eyes with its entrance, balcony, the inscribed dedication and the clock. On the side façades are the inscriptions “Scuole femminili” and “Scuole maschili”, leftover from a time when the boys and girls were separated in school, up until about fifty years ago. Delicate bas-reliefs adorn the façade, four square tiles depicting moments of school activities of the time: writing, reading, sewing and music. This building has been an important part of the lives of generations of citizens who were educated here at the primary school. During the Second World War, between 1942 and 1943, the school was forced to close and was used as a military hospital. Over the years it has hosted cultural events, shows, exhibitions and film clubs. Today the school is part of the Forges Davanzati-Mastromatteo Comprehensive Institute and this building houses the nursery and primary schools.