Dating back to the 15th Century, this traditional Sicilian art form of marionettes and puppets whose repertory tell stories of heroes in famous battles, the conquest of villains and other historical events. This artisanal skill of carving detailed faces and sculptured bodies embellished with precious metals handed down from father to son with each puppeteer having more than 100 elaborate puppets ranging from knights in armour, kings, woman, horses, lions and even the odd mermaid.
In 2011 the Opera dei Pupi (Puppet Theatre) was declared “oral and intangible heritage of humanity” by UNESCO.
