Teatro Massimo – Palermo’s Unforgettable Theat

Anyone who has watched the Godfather trilogy will remember the dramatic final scene in Godfather III when Al Pacino leaves the Teatro Massimo by way of the grandiose outdoor staircase. This magnificent theatre is amongst the largest in Europe, third in size after the National Opera House in Paris and the Staatsoper in Vienna.

The building was constructed in a neoclassical style at the end of the 1800’s following King Vittorio Emanuele’s desire for a new theatre in the city. Building was started by Giovan Battista Filippo Basile and completed by his son Ernest after their design won a competition in 1864. The original wooden model built to enter the competition was recently displayed in the theatre.

A restoration project which meant the theatre was closed for 23 years has finally returned it to its former glory. Visitors come to enjoy the opera performances and the fantastic acoustics of the building. A feeling of occasion is generated from the moment of arrival at the enormous entrance. The vast dimensions of the building tower around you as you climb the long flight of steps under the watchful eyes of two bronze, lion statues which represent opera and tragedy.

The first thing you notice on passing through the main doors is the distinctive entrance hall with its frescoes and high ceiling. The theatre has five tiers of boxes plus a gallery with an overall seating capacity of 1400 seats. Cross the ‘room of mirrors’ and look up to see the ‘petal’ design of the ceiling created by frescoed wooden panels that can be moved back to create an open air theatre during the summer season.

As well as the programme of events, you can also take a tour, available mornings only (expect Mondays) in a variety of languages, to really allow you to appreciate the beauty of this building. You also get the chance to peep inside the many private rooms that were once used by Palermo’s highest nobility.