Thursday, 27th
Second stop of our trip: TAORMINA
Some information about the city.
Taormina is an ancient Greek town on the east coast of Sicily. Taormina has been a very popular tourist
destination since the 19th century. It has a very good beach on the Ionian sea. Taormina can be reached via highways from Messina the north and Catania from the south. Actually Taormina has a population of eleven thousand people. The present town of Taormina occupies the ancient site , on a lofty hill witch
forms this last projecting point of the mountain ridge that extends along the coast from Cape Pelorus to this point. The site of the old town is about 250m above the sea ,while a very steep and almost isolated rock, crowned by a Saracem castle rises about 150m Higher . But by the far the most remarkable
monument remaining at Taormina is the ancient Theatre , which is one of the most celebrated ruins in Sicily , on Account both it is remarkable preservation and his beautiful location. It’s built for the most part of brick and therefore probably of Roman date , though the plan and arrangement are in accordance with
those of Greek , rather than roman theatres ; when it’s supposed that the present structure was rebuilt upon the foundations of an older theatre of the Greek period. With a diameter of 109 meters this theatre is the second largest of this kind in Sicily , second only to Syracuse. This theatre is frequently used for operatic
and theatrical performances and for concerts. The wall which surrounded the whole cave is preserved , but the original seats have disappeared . The proscenium is preserved too and contribute much to the picturesque effect of the theatre.
The others main sights are: -‐ Palazzo Corvaja (10th century). -‐ Baroque fountain (1635).
-‐ Church of San Domenico. -‐ Anglican Church of Saint George.
Here we are, in front of one of the entrance doors to the city.
A suggestic picture of the Church with the mountains above.
