The Teatro Garibaldi in Palermo is a small but significant Italian-style theater, with a horseshoe-shaped floor plan, three tiers of boxes, a covered area of approximately 1,300 square meters, and an internal height of approximately 7.04 meters. Built in 1861 by Pietro Cutrera, it stands on the ruins of the Viridarium Magnum in the Magione neighborhood, preserving historical traces such as the original pillars of the garden gate of Palazzo Ajutamicristo. Over the decades, it has had mixed fortunes, serving as a popular theater, a third-run cinema, and remaining abandoned due to damage and neglect. It was acquired by the Municipality of Palermo after transferring ownership to the Province.
The project involves the restoration of its most fragile structural parts, the consolidation of the shallow foundations (approximately 0.60 meters), and the expansion of the support base to ensure the structure's stability. The project also includes conservation work on historic materials, the renovation of building services, the improvement of the internal systems, the restoration and upgrade of the wooden roof with fireproofing, and the installation of air conditioning systems. Some areas will be renovated or completed, using lightweight materials to respect the building's historic value.
The goal is to restore the theater to full usability as a cultural venue, creative space, and community hub, enhancing the history, historic architecture, and identity of the Kalsa neighborhood. The project also aims to ensure safety, environmental comfort, and compliance with current regulations, allowing theatrical, artistic, and cultural activities, as well as events open to the public, in a modern manner while respecting the original structure.
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