Museo civico Belliniano

About the museum

The museum occupies the first floor of Palazzo Gravina Cruyllas, opposite the church of San Francesco d'Assisi, and includes the house where the composer Vincenzo Bellini was born in 1801 and lived until the age of sixteen. The building stands on the remains of the ancient odeon and Greek theatre of Catania.

A committee of the Real Circolo Bellini began raising funds in 1919, and in 1923 the birthplace was declared a national monument. The museum was opened on 5 May 1930 in the presence of King Victor Emmanuel III; from 1950 to 1968 it was directed by Francesco Pastura.

The collections hold autograph manuscripts with many sketches, a model of the set for Norma, the wax death mask taken from Bellini's face, personal belongings, a letter from Rossini, miniatures of Maria Malibran, furniture and instruments such as his grandfather's spinet, and materials on the transfer of the composer's remains from Paris to Catania in 1876. In March 2023 a multimedia museum with the route “Una vita in quattro atti” was also opened. The nearby Museo Emilio Greco, included in the admission, belongs to the same civic circuit.

Highlights

• Birthplace of Vincenzo Bellini
• Autograph manuscripts and sketches by the composer
• Model of the set for Norma
• Wax death mask of Bellini
• Multimedia route “Una vita in quattro atti”

Permanent exhibitions

• Casa natale e raccolte belliniane – Manuscripts, personal belongings and relics of the composer in the house where he was born.
• Una vita in quattro atti – Multimedia route on Bellini's life, opened in March 2023.

Founded

1930

Operated by

Comune di Catania

Visitors per year

approx. 9,357

Admission & discounts

The €5 ticket also includes the Museo Emilio Greco. The Sistema Museale Civico of Catania also offers a single ticket valid for three days for several civic sites.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum's listing mentions access for people with disabilities, without further details.

Kids & families

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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