Teatro Politeama Garibaldi is one of Palermo’s grandest 19th-century landmarks, standing beside the busy square locals call Piazza Politeama. Its monumental entrance resembles a Roman triumphal arch, crowned by a bronze chariot and horses. The colourful decorative details give the theatre a character quite different from the city’s Arab-Norman monuments.
Designed by Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda and opened in 1874, the Politeama was conceived as a theatre for a broad public, hosting spectacles as well as musical performances. Named for Giuseppe Garibaldi, it reflects the civic ambitions of Palermo in the decades surrounding Italian unification. Today it is home to the Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana.
The theatre is also a useful landmark for exploring modern Palermo. Around Piazza Ruggero Settimo, people meet, buses come and go, and shoppers move between Via Ruggero Settimo and Via della Libertà. Pause for a coffee or granita, then walk south towards Teatro Massimo and the historic centre.
Visit in the late afternoon for warm light on the façade and a livelier square. If you want to see inside, check the concert programme or availability of guided visits in advance. Traffic around the piazza can be heavy, so take care at crossings.