Opera dei Pupi Museum of Acireale

Il puppet museum of Acireale is a small treasure that tells the story of an island tradition: i puppets, in fact, have always been a characterizing element of the Sicilia, even if only the most expert know that there are great differences between the Palermo, Catania and Acireale traditions. For those wishing to learn more and admire the artistic and technical evolution of this art, here is everything you need to know about visiting the opera dei pupi museum in Acireale.

The history of the Opera dei Pupi Museum in Acireale

The Opera dei Pupi Museum was created in 1887 by the will of the artist Mariano Pennisi, one of the most famous puppeteers of the time. Pennini wanted his artistic heritage not to be lost, so he decided to give life to one collection not only of puppets but also of many other finds that had been part of his career, such as sets, work equipment, billboards and much more.

In 1928 the collection was so large that it required its transfer to another site, which was done to be able to have the necessary spaces to also accommodate material not directly belonging to the founder. In 1934, then, Pennisi decided to retire and leave the management of the museum to Emanuele Macrì, his adopted son.

Macrì gave a completely unexpected impulse to the museum, also taking care of bringing traveling exhibitions around the world. In 1983, the Municipality of Acireale in collaboration with the Region took steps to take charge of the museum and carry out all the restoration activities necessary for its maintenance.

The architecture and any works of art present in the Opera dei Pupi Museum

Today inside the Opera dei Pupi Museum it is possible to admire everything that was once part of the Pennisi-Macrì collection. It is a very broad repertoire of puppets made with different materials and over time by the master and his successor. It should not be forgotten, in fact, that Pennisi was the first to carry out a series of innovations in this area, above all by creating puppets that had different dimensions, to recreate the sense of perspective.

Visitors will also be able to admire many other working tools, from sets to the techniques used to make the puppets move in a realistic and natural way. Finally, a section is dedicated to the collection of posters of theatrical performances, not only in Sicily but also those staged in the rest of the world.

What you can do around the Opera dei Pupi Museum in Acireale

Acireale is a very charming village, which offers many attractions both from a cultural and historical point of view, so a visit to the village to see the Opera dei Pupi Museum could be the right opportunity to discover even more. Piazza Duomo is the center of Acireale, the beating heart of the city.
On this square overlooks the Cathedral which is entitled to Maria Santissima Annunziata and which was built in the fifteenth century. Also there Basilica dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul is on the same square and had two phases of construction, one in 1550 and one in 1608, and is located in the immediate vicinity of the Town Hall, which instead was built in 1640 and then underwent a restructuring phase in the eighteenth century. Finally from the point of view of civil architecture too Modò Palace, which dates back to the early twentieth century, is worth a visit.

How it is possible to get to Acireale

Those who want to visit the Opera dei Pupi Museum in Acireale can reach the village by car, starting from Catania and along the SS114 while from Palermo, Enna and Agrigento the reference road is first the A19 and then the E932. From Messina, however, the most correct road is the A18, instead from Trapani it is advisable to follow the E90. Finally, from Syracuse, it is advisable to continue on the E45.

You can also reach Acireale with the train, given that the village has its own railway station which is located on the line that connects Messina to Syracuse. Finally, the buses that make local runs are always active and are provided by the AST company.

© Image by Lucarelli, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons