Antica Bottega del Puparo - Marionettistica F.lli Napoli - Associazione Culturale Arte Pupi F.lli Napoli - Opera dei Pupi
About This Museum
Tucked away on a bustling street in Catania, you'll find a portal to old Sicily. This isn't your typical quiet museum; it's the living, breathing workshop of the Napoli family, master puppeteers for generations. The air smells of aged wood and paint, and the walls are lined with a veritable army of handcrafted knights, their armor gleaming under the lights. It feels less like an exhibit and more like stepping directly into the family's incredible legacy.
Collection Highlights
The stars are undoubtedly the 'Opera dei Pupi' puppets themselves—Charlemagne and his paladins locked in epic battle, each with incredibly detailed armor that weighs up to 20 kilos. You can also see original painted backdrops for their shows and the intricate tools used to carve these legendary figures from wood.
Visitor Information
It's located at Via Reitano 55, but definitely check their social media or call ahead for showtimes as live performances are the real highlight here. The family often runs the place, so you might just get your history lesson straight from a maestro.
Architecture & Building
Housed in a classic Catania storefront, it has an unassuming facade that gives way to a wonderfully cluttered and authentic bottega, or workshop, filled from floor to ceiling with puppetry magic.
Contact & Location
Address: 55, Via Reitano, Giudecca, Centro storico, Catania, Sicilia, 95121, Italia
Phone: +39 347 095 4526
Website: Visit Website
