Politeama Garibaldi Theater (Teatro Politeama Garibaldi)
The basics
The word politeama comes from Greek and refers to the theater being built for multiple purposes, since Palermo already had a grand opera house in the Teatro Massimo when Teatro Politeama Garibaldi was built. The theater is primarily known for the Orchestra, however, and looks every bit inside like a classic Italian theater with red velvet and gold décor and two levels of theater boxes lining the semicircular main seating area. Even the theater’s curtain at the front of the stage is a work of art, depicting a scene from Greek mythology painted in 1891. Some Palermo city, Segway, and architecture tours include a stop at the Politeama Garibaldi Theater, or you can visit on your own with a hop-on hop-off bus tour.
Things to know before you go
- A visit to the Teatro Politeama Garibaldi is interesting for architecture enthusiasts; fans of classical music enjoy catching a concert.
- The dress code is smart casual for evening performances at the theater.
- The theater is accessible to wheelchair users, with a reserved seating section on the auditorium floor.
How to get there
The Teatro Politeama Garibaldi is located on Piazza Ruggero Settimo in the city’s historic center within walking distance of the port and train station. You can reach Sicily from mainland Italy by ferry, train, or plane.
Trip ideas
When to get there
Visit during daylight hours to take in the theater’s grand exterior architecture, and in the evening to catch a classical music performance inside the concert hall.
Teatro Massimo
Fans of architecture and music may also want to visit Palermo’s Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy. This 19th-century concert hall has a magnificent neoclassical exterior that echoes Sicily’s ancient temples, lavishly gilded interiors, and impeccable acoustics that make it one of the most prestigious venues for opera and classical music in Europe.
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