Nino Martoglio city theater in Belpasso

History of the Nino Martoglio city theater in Belpasso

The history of the Nino Martoglio city theater in Belpasso is closely linked to the figure of the great Nino martoglio.
Martoglio was one of the greatest Sicilian dialect playwrights and was born in Belpasso, precisely in Via III retta Levante.
He spent his youth in his native country, but then he moved to Catania where he had a huge success that took him to theaters all over the world. Although he was away from home for a long time, memories of his and Belpasso's childhood were evident in his plays, such as "The Air of the Continent" e "Rich vintage massaru cuntenlu".
According to Giuseppe Sambararo, a local scholar, the similarities between the works of martoglio and the places and countryside of Belpasse are many. Some districts, the progressive club and the vines and olive trees of the Belpasso countryside, frequently appear in his artistic products.

Another prominent figure who greatly influenced the city theater is Nino Martoglio in Belpasso Antonino Russo Giusti. Playwright from Catania but from Belpasso on his father's side, in 1943 he left Catania and moved to Belpasso where he founded the Nino Martoglio Art Brigade. A glorious theater company that still operates today and has never stopped its activity.
However, the theater has even more ancient origins, in fact sacred representations were staged already in the XNUMXth century and in the XNUMXth century "oratori" performed there.
The main development took place towards the end of the nineteenth century, when a family of puppeteers of Adrano, the Crocella, they created a puppet theater. The work of the puppeteers became so widespread that it had to respond in some way to the artistic need that Belpasso was beginning to feel. The local administration immediately got to work and built what we now know as the Nino Martoglio city theater.

Nino Martoglio city theater in Belpasso: the architecture

The point of reference for the theatrical activity of Belpasso is the Nino Martoglio city theater which is located in the city center in Via XII Traversa. The structure dates back to the end of the nineteenth century, follows the lines of the neoclassical style and has a façade with a detail two-tone effect thanks to the use of white stone and lava stone, very similar to the theater Bellini of Catania.
The construction of the theater was supervised by the architect Giuseppe Nicotra Davilla, who followed the design of the building and the design of the facade with the sculpted masks depicting the muses.

The Nino Martoglio city theater in Belpasso was renovated in the 80s, in compliance with the regulations in force at the time in terms of safety of performance venues. Equipped with 500 seats, every year it hosts a dense and valuable theater season organized by the Belpasso companies, including the Sicily Theater Art Brigade founded by Antonino Rosso Giusti and the City of Belpasso Theater Group.

Nino Martoglio city theater in Belpasso: what to see nearby

Belpasso is a jewel, with its typical checkerboard shape which makes it profoundly different from neighboring towns. The view from above is unique thanks to the red roofs of the houses and the intense green of the fields that surround it. The postcard vision is finally completed by the smoking cone of Etna which stands out in the background, deeply linked to the history of Belpasso.
Those who come to Belpasso to admire the splendid Nino Martoglio city theater will certainly appreciate the numerous works of art and period buildings in the city center. A good starting point is Mother Church in aquascape Sicilian baroque inside which are preserved several paintings of excellent workmanship and the famous Bell of Santa Lucia.

In Piazza Duomo beyond the church it is possible to admire the sumptuous Scrofani Palace with a beautiful wrought iron balcony, and a little further on in via Roma, the Palace of the Buffalo Barons made with stone masks, carvings and a very particular corner balcony.
Not only the theater is dedicated to the playwright Nino Martoglio, but also the Public Garden inside which it is possible to visit the ancient monastery of the Reformed Fathers and the church of Saint Anthony of Padua.
Moving towards Piazza Dante you can appreciate it church of Christ the King and immediately the Palazzo Lombardo, near which stands the house where Nino Martoglio was born.
There are also numerous buildings in liberty style which can be admired by wandering around the streets of the centre, including the Palazzo Spampinato and Casa Marletta.

Nino Martoglio city theater in Belpasso: how to get there

Belpasso is located a short distance from Catania airport, therefore it is easily accessible from all over Italy and Europe. For those arriving by car, the following information will certainly be useful.
From Catania: take the SS121 towards Paternò and exit at Belpasso-Piano Tavola, after a few kilometers you will reach the center of the town.
From Syracuse: take the western ring road of Catania and exit at Misterbianco-Paternò. Take the SS121 and exit at Belpasso-Piano Tavola.