Palermo Walking Tour: Among Puppets and Puppetry

Highlights

Choose from a morning or afternoon tour, and meet your private guide in central Palermo. Begin with a visit to the International Museum of Marionettes Antonio Pasqualino, featuring more than 3,000 pieces of puppetry from the acclaimed Italian designer and cultures around the world. Learn about the history of the art form in Sicily, from vastate dialectical theater to the celebrated Opera dei Pupi tradition, honored on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Continue on to the Oratory of San Lorenzo, known for its altarpieces designed by Giacomo Serpotta. This famed 18th-century Sicilian sculptor was also a central figure in the early puppetry, crafting elaborate teatrini stucco decorations and putti allegorical figurines. Finish your journey at the traditional puppetry workshop of Mimmo Cuticchio on the Via Bara all’Olivella, where you can assist in the production of a live marionette show. See finely crafted figurines seemingly come to life against styled scenery as you take part in a centuries-old Sicilian tradition.

Summary

Choose from a morning or afternoon tour, and meet your private guide in central Palermo. Begin with a visit to the International Museum of Marionettes Antonio Pasqualino, featuring more than 3,000 pieces of puppetry from the acclaimed Italian designer and cultures around the world. Learn about the history of the art form in Sicily, from vastate dialectical theater to the celebrated Opera dei Pupi tradition, honored on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Continue on to the Oratory of San Lorenzo, known for its altarpieces designed by Giacomo Serpotta. This famed 18th-century Sicilian sculptor was also a central figure in the early puppetry, crafting elaborate teatrini stucco decorations and putti allegorical figurines. Finish your journey at the traditional puppetry workshop of Mimmo Cuticchio on the Via Bara all’Olivella, where you can assist in the production of a live marionette show. See finely crafted figurines seemingly come to life against styled scenery as you take part in a centuries-old Sicilian tradition.

Tour info

Duration

3 hours

Why take this tour?

Live authentic experiences! A curious itinerary into the heart of the historic city center of Palermo, aimed at discovering the history of the Sicilian theater in its various art forms. An itinerary among art, culture and folklore that has the 'popular theatre' as its central theme. The tour begins with a visit to the International Puppet Museum Antonio Pasqualino that houses about three thousand pieces of Sicilian puppets, marionettes and shadow stages from all over the word. The next stop is the Oratory of St. Lorenzo, the greatest masterpiece of Giacomo Serpotta where "putti", allegorical figures and "teatrini" (stucco decorations) depict a real theatrical performance that involves the viewer, making him the protagonist of the show. The journey will continue in via Bara all’Olivella with a visit at the Mimmo Cuticchio’s puppets workshop, assisting to a thrilling Sicilian puppets show.

What’s included?

Professional guide
Private tour
Hotel pickup and drop off
Museum ticket and puppets show

Things to know

Before you book

Duration: 3h
Mobile tickets accepted
Instant confirmation

Covid Policy

Social distancing enforced throughout experience

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Operator Website

Operated by:

Curioseety Sicily

About operator:

Curioseet offers over 750 authentic experiences, particularly focusing on adventure, cuisine, off the beaten path tours and second cities.
Highly rated tours with trusted experts come with the best price guarantee. Currently and for the past four years, customer service has been available 7 days a week.