Sangiorgi Theatre

Along the via di Sangiuliano there is the Sangiorgi theatre, it is considered the representation of the Catania “Belle Epoque“. From the business idea of the former plumber Mario Sangiorgi was born the theatre that has the same name, with the intention of create a “multifunctional” space. Inside there were a restaurant, a cafe, an ice rink, a hotel and other spaces for meetings and entertainment. It is easy to understand how much it was original and creative the Sangiorgi’s business idea, at that time.

The theatre was supposed to represent operas, operettas, and dramas. It was opened on July 7th of 1900, and quickly became one of the most important theatre in the city. Over time, however, because of the entertainment crisis and the deterioration of the theatre and the neighborhood, it was transformed first into a cinema, after that in the seventies in to a red light place.

Then it was closed and abandoned until 1988, when the “Ente Autonomo Teatro Massimo Bellini” bought it and began a long and elaborate restoration work, trying to keep the neoclassical style and bring to light the artistic kept inside. Today, the theatre has an elegant auditorium with 477 seats and a large stage that allows the staging of various events, with the intention to offer a wide variety of representations. Inside the spacious areas are also seat to the administrative offices of the Teatro Massimo Bellini and Sangiorgi’s one.