Elements Of Agrigento And Selinunte In Palermo

Teatro Massimo, Palermo’s opera house that opened in 1897, is a master work of Greek and Roman inspired architecture designed by Giovan Battista Filippo Basile (1825-1891). The construction was completed by his son Ernesto in 1897. The elder Basile incorporated decorative details from the ancient temples at Agrigento and Selinunte into the theater’s design.

Inspired by the Ancients

Architectural detail of Palermo’s Teatro Massimo, the largest opera house in Italy. Teatro Massimo was designed by Giovan Battista Basile in 1875. The construction was completed by his son Ernesto in 1897. The elder Basile incorporated decorative details from the ancient temples at Agrigento and Selinunte into the theater’s design.