Designed by Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda, the Politeama theater was built from 1867 to 1891.

In that period Palermo was preparing to welcome the great National Exhibition; at the opening were King Umberto and Queen Margherita.

In contrast to the Massimo theater, which was destined for opera, the Politeama was intended for operettas, comic and dramatic works, balls, parties, circus and equestrian shows.

The theater both inside and outside is rich in Pompeian style decorations.

At the apex of the entrance stands a monumental bronze quadriga, by Mario Rutelli, which represents the "Triumph of Apollo and Euterpe".

On either side of the quadriga, a pair of bronze horses by Benedetto Civiletti, with knights representing the "Olympic Games".

Inside, the main hall houses a large double gallery.

Designed for a capacity of five thousand spectators, today the theater can host about a thousand.

At the Politeama Garibaldi have performed prestigious artists such as Leopoldo Mugnone, Arturo Toscanini, Vincenzo Tamagno, Victor Maruel, Nellie Melba, Mattia Battistini, Mary Boyer, Giovanni Zenatello, Teresa Arkel, Gemma Bellincioni, Gilda Dalla Rizza, Francisco Vignas, Bianca Scacciati, Eugenio Giraldoni, Rosetta Pampanini, Gianna Pederzini, Mario Basiola, Beniamino Gigli, Carlo Tagliabue in lyrical seasons until 1950.

In 1896, at the Politeama, Puccini's Bohème, after the bad success of Turin, resources in Palermo.

Today the theater is the prestigious seat of the Sicilian Symphonic Orchestra Foundation and is a landmark of great importance, both in terms of location and notoriety for Palermo.

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