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Teatro dei Pupi

Teatro dei Pupi

Teatro dei Pupi
4.5
About
Traditional show of the particular Sicilian armed puppets born between the second half of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. The repertoire consists almost entirely of chivalric narratives derived largely from novels and poems of the Carolingian cycle. The puppet theater of Syracuse is one of the precious pieces of the urban mosaic, a place of art and culture that enriches the city and invites the visitor to get to know one of the most important cultural aspects of Sicily. Unique and essential experience for those visiting Syracuse.
Duration: < 1 hour
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  • Sara W
    Seattle, Washington16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A great “site” in Siracusa not to be missed
    If you fund yourself sufficiently fortunate to land in Ortigia don’t miss this. The show was dramatic and suspenseful with a story line that could be followed by non-Italian speakers. What a wonderful art form to enjoy while vacationing.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 5, 2023
  • Sally G
    Hindhead, United Kingdom26 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great show but the use of mobile phones disappointing.
    A beautiful puppet show. The puppets were amazing and the story was easy to follow even though it was in Italian. The one disappointment was that people were allowed to take pictures and video the performance. The light from the phones was a big distraction 😥
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 12, 2023
  • Susan Z
    18 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A unique experience
    When traveling to Sicily you should definitely see a puppet show. The puppets aren't anything like what we have in America. At the beginning of the show, they give a summary of the story in Italian and in English. The show is in Italian. The puppets and the costumes are so beautiful and interesting. I highly recommend this experience. It was very enjoyable
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written October 18, 2023
  • Geri Ann D
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Puppet Magic
    The Teatro dei Pupi in Siracusa is a must-see once in a lifetime experience not to be missed. The 100-year old tradition of puppet story-telling is amazing. The staff is very gentile and talented and we thoroughly enjoyed the show. The setting is amazing!
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 18, 2023
  • Mark W
    Leeds, United Kingdom197 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The show is great. There's also the chance to book a behind the scenes tour too.
    The Puppet Theatre itself is an interesting place. The puppets themselves are works of art with fabulous costumes which sparkle on stage. When you book at the venue you are asigned a seat by name and told to come back 5 minutes before curtain up. You are shown to your seat so there is no scramble for places. The story / plot. Is outlined in Italian and English at the outset. Plot was a bit complicated and hard to absorb so briefly. May have helped if a summary of the scene just gone and a hint of the next was given out in English during scene changes. The show itself was brilliant. Amazing how much emotion could be expressed with such simple technology. That said the lights and sound system certainly add to the whole effect. Great fun alround, the show simply flew by. As a bonus at the end of the show we were told upon showing your ticket you got discounted entry to the Museo dei Pupi.
    Visited May 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 22, 2024
  • GrandmaBonnie
    Oakland, California195 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A unique experience
    A unique experience. The puppeteers are very skilled and the costumes are amazing. It's a bit difficult to follow if you don't speak Italian because much of the dialogue is expository. Still, it's a lot of fun and I'm glad we went.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 12, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles453 reviews
Excellent
330
Very good
103
Average
12
Poor
6
Terrible
2

Chrisgale
Sheffield, UK1,196 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 • Friends
This was so lovely, it doesn't matter if you don't speak Italian you are given an overview of the story before. Its very funny and the puppeteers are terrific. Keeping alive an age old tradition. Everyone was friendly, do visit the museum down the street, a little boy was enthusiastic in telling the history and his family involvement even though we didn't speak the language. Well worth it. 4 30 most days buy the ticket in advance to be sure. Lovely costumes, do support this
Written May 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michael
69 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
We have been twice Teatro dei Pupi Siracusa and absolutely loved the time. The first time with Orlando and Angelica ending with and epic battle where the puppets were piling up! My daughter was 3 and absolutely loved the action. You do not need to understand Italian because the emotions behind the wonderful acting tell the story. This time we watched the L’Inganno di Angelica Orlando alla Rupe dell’Indovino at the Teatro dei Pupi Siracusa. It was very emotional with the most beautiful Griffin puppet magically altering a fountain and Angelica falls in love while Orlando, while Orlando drinks it and absolutely despises her! Oh no the brilliant drama ensues!! There were twists and turns and at the end always an incomplete story to keep you coming! The puppets have returned from the pandemic beautifully detailed. The wardrobes and intricate artwork is absolutely stunning. My daughter now seven kept asking to watch it again, but unfortunately we will have to wait until next year. Get tickets in advanced because they will sell out. Also, check with your children to see if they can handle darkness and loud voices. This can be overwhelming for some little children. My daughter was 3 the first time and 7 the second time and both times loved it. She is Sicilian so she loves the story and the drama! Bravissimo 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Written April 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lucyontheroad7
24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 • Couples
The amount of skill displayed in this 45 minute puppet show is Phenomenal! The small cast of trained actors play several character voices and masterfully bring the puppets alive! The music is also wonderful and the only recorded part of the show.
The theater is also charming and small. No bad seats.
Written May 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Maria B
Kendal, UK80 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023
Great fun! This is a small puppet theatre with performances which last about one hour. The performance itself is in Italian (which I don't speak) but there was a helpful introduction in English. And in any case, puppet theatre doesn't need any translation! We thoroughly enjoyed this introdcution to one of the cultural highlights if Sicily. If you like this sort of thing, go and see the puppet museum, too!
Written April 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wilann S
11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
I loved everything about Teatro Dei Pupi! The puppets are exquisite. The puppeteers are incredibly talented. The scripts are wonderfully written and produced and the staff is young, energetic, and ready to keep this gorgeous age old art form alive and well for generations to come. A wonderful, wonderful experience, not to be missed!!
Written May 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ken Y
Edinburgh, UK20 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2023 • Couples
Excellent little puppet theatre with impressive puppets managed very well. I would have given this five stars except for the fact that inevitably the speech is in Italian making it hard to follow exactly what is going on. The story is outlined in English beforehand and that helps, but clearly you miss some of the nuances of the show. I would still highly recommend it - these traditional activities deserve support.
Written September 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HowardB49
London, UK285 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2022 • Couples
Small intimate puppet theatre. Performance was in Italian but there was an English commentary before hand, so easy to follow the story. Puppets are traditional Italian in design and the performance is brilliantly executed. The museum is just around the corner. Performance lasts for 50 minutes with no interval. Pre- dinner treat
Written October 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

holly r
4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023 • Family
We thoroughly enjoyed the puppet theatre even though we don't speak Italian. The host explained the plot before the show began so we had a sense of the events. The puppets are amazing and the music and props kept us engaged for the one-hour show. You won't regret it and you will support a long-time tradition. Have fun!
Written July 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

npier5
Chicago, IL30 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
The small and intimate theatre is a great place to see the show. The employees are friendly. Even though the play is in Italian, we were able to follow along as a summary was given in English before the performance.
Written September 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mark W
Leeds, UK197 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2024 • Couples
The Puppet Theatre itself is an interesting place. The puppets themselves are works of art with fabulous costumes which sparkle on stage. When you book at the venue you are asigned a seat by name and told to come back 5 minutes before curtain up. You are shown to your seat so there is no scramble for places. The story / plot. Is outlined in Italian and English at the outset. Plot was a bit complicated and hard to absorb so briefly. May have helped if a summary of the scene just gone and a hint of the next was given out in English during scene changes.
The show itself was brilliant. Amazing how much emotion could be expressed with such simple technology. That said the lights and sound system certainly add to the whole effect.
Great fun alround, the show simply flew by.
As a bonus at the end of the show we were told upon showing your ticket you got discounted entry to the Museo dei Pupi.
Written May 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Teatro dei Pupi - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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