Museum of the Opera dei Pupi in Randazzo

The puppet museum in Randazzo was built by the then mayor who, in 1984, bought through the Municipality, twenty-two Sicilian puppets built in the early twentieth century, using a loan obtained from the Sicily Region with the approval of the Department of Cultural Heritage.

The museum, which became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site , sees in being that first block of Sicilian puppets belonging to the famous Messina puppeteer Nini Calabrese which possessed a collection of sixty-seven original items and another fifteen large puppets purchased later after obtaining another contribution from the Region of Sicily.

It should be remembered that the Opera dei Pupi is a theatrical show made with puppets that saw its birth and success especially in Sicily between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. Because of their particular mechanical maneuver conformation and the issues addressed by the puppeteers, the show is always centered on chivalrous tales taken from poems and novels that narrate the Carolingian period.

Normally the puppets are animated by a metal rod connected to the head with a particular joint from which wires radiate which join the legs and arms. The Puppets, whose creator is unknown puppet transformation , differ in that the metal rod is no longer connected to the head but crosses it and instead of the wire used to animate the arm, there is a second metal rod. In this way, the movements have acquired speed and incisiveness compared to normal puppets and this is suitable for representing scenes of knightly duels.

Museum of the Opera dei Pupi in Randazzo: architecture and works of art

The Museum of the Opera dei Pupi in Randazzo, inaugurated in 1986 , is located inside the Castle which is visible from Piazza San Martino.

It is the last remaining tower of the existing eight and located on one overhang of lava rock and which has existed since the time of Frederick II of Swabia.

In ancient times it was a gloomy and dark place that featured oven cells, a well where the prisoners were practically buried, a torture chamber and a gallery where skulls are placed.

Restored it has been transformed into a cultural center where exhibitions and artistic events are held in addition to the aforementioned collection of Sicilian puppets and the Paolo Vagliasindi archaeological museum.
The Sicilian puppets that are part of the Opera dei Pupi in Randazzo are from the Catania school and were used to represent the so-called chansons de geste of the time of Charlemagne and his paladins.

The specimens on display have an important ethno-anthropological interest since, as per tradition, they present warlike clothes with precious armor made between the years 1912 and 1925 by a very famous craftsman from Riposto, Emilio Musumeci belonging to the school of the builder Puddu Maglia.

The puppets in the exhibition embody these characters: Orlando, Rinaldo, Bradamante, Goffredo di Buglione, Morgante, Guidone Selvaggio, Carlo Martello, Dudone della Mazza, Ginamo di Bajona, Roger of the White Eagle, Sacripante, Rodomonte of Algiers, king Lubrica, Ferraù di Spagna, Erminio, Gano di Maganza and many others.

Museum of the Opera dei Pupi in Randazzo: what to do

The village of Randazzo is located in the center of three natural parks which are the Etna Park, the Alcantara Park and the Nebrodi Park.

This allows you to enrich your visit to the historic city center with excursions to explore the surrounding nature. However, the advice is to get to know the town starting with one of the most beautiful and interesting churches of the region , the Church of Santa Maria. To this you can also add a visit to the Church of San Nicola and not only because it is the largest in all of Randazzo but because of the works of art preserved in it. Don't miss the Royal Palace and strolling through the historic center to admire via degli Archi, via dei Lanza and the Church of San Martino with its mighty bell tower considered one of the most beautiful in all of Sicily.

After a short visit to the House of Music , it is suggested to reach Parco Sciarone or Gurrida Lake which are located near the town.

To explore nature, it is advisable to go on an excursion that has as its destination one of the many refuges found in the Nebrodi mountains such as the Tre Arie refuge, a short distance from the homonymous lake or the Shelter of Santa Maria del Bosco . For the more expert in terms of trekking, the right destination can be the Etna Park and exactly the one that includes the route that from Case Pirao leads to Monte Spagnolo and which is the Grotta dei Lamponi or the Grotta del Gelo.

How to get to Randazzo

Randazzo is located in the northern part of the Etna area, at an altitude of 700 metres, in a context that can be easily reached from Catania, Enna or Messina. Towards the Ionian coast, the connection is the Fiumefreddo di Sicilia road.
As for the motorways, it is possible to take the Messina-Catania (A18) or the Messina-Buonfornello (A20).
Those arriving by train can stop at the Giarre or Taormina railway stations. Obviously you must then head towards Randazzo on State Road No. 120.