Museo civico dell'Opera dei Pupi
Civic museum with the collection of Sicilian puppets (pupi) of Don Ignazio Puglisi, manuscripts, posters, armour and a small theatre for performances.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Museo civico dell'Opera dei Pupi in Sortino holds the collection of puppets used by the master Don Ignazio Puglisi (1904–1986), known as “il pastaro”, which the municipality bought from the Puglisi family in 1990. The Puglisi family has been puppeteers for five generations and is an example of the tradition of “families of opranti”. The company, now led by Ignazio Manlio, Don Ignazio's nephew, still stages its shows in the museum's small theatre.
The museum is located in Via Resistenza, in the former prison of Sortino. The collection includes, besides the puppets (more than thirty displayed in different scenes), manuscripts of the texts, advertising posters, costumes, armour and stage sets. It tells the story of a popular theatre art born in Sicily in the first half of the 19th century and inspired by characters from chivalric and medieval literature. Some pieces have also been shown at the Museo del Teatro alla Scala in Milan.
The display also keeps a craft dimension: in the workshop, master Francesco “Gianfranco” Salonia builds the puppets, paints scenes and posters, makes the costumes and accompanies visitors on the route. The Opera dei Pupi has been recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2001.
Highlights
- Puppets from the collection of Don Ignazio Puglisi
- Manuscripts of the texts, posters, costumes and armour
- Small theatre with programmes by the Compagnia Puglisi
- Workshop for building puppets and stage sets
- Tradition recognised by UNESCO
Permanent exhibition
- Collezione dei pupi Puglisi – Puppets, manuscripts, posters, armour and stage sets of the Catania tradition of the Opera dei Pupi.
- Operated by
- Comune di Sortino
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
Great for kids & families
Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Performances of “Opra re pupi”, with faithful copies of the original puppets up to 1.30 m tall, take place in the museum's small theatre. |
