Taormina
With its unique panorama, its singular attractions and beautiful spots Taormina
is one of the most popular tourist destinations for people from all over
the world.
It lays on a hill 206 metres above sea level, among a luxuriant vegetation and
against a moving scenario. Today it has about 11.000 inhabitants.
History
It was probably first inhabited by the Siculians, who settled in the area
dedicating themselves to farming and breeding, as witnessed by the Sicilian
historian Diodoro Siculo. In 832 B.C. Greek colonists founded Naxos in
Taormina bay, close to the Alcantara river mouth, the first town of Magna
Grecia, but only in the IV century B.C part of them moved to the close hill, to
defend themselves against the Phoenicians and the Greek colonies hostile to
Syracuse, which ensured its protection to Tauromenion inhabitants.
When the Romans finally conquered the whole of Sicily in 212 B.C.,
Tauromenion's inhabitants allied with them. After the fall of Western Roman
Empire, Taormina was occupied by Goths and later by Byzantines.
Then Arabs and Normans followed, and after them Swabians,
Aragonese and Bourbons, as it happened for the rest of Sicily.
Ferdinand I of Bourbon gave the "Isola bella" to the citizens of
Taormina to compensate them for their loyalty during the wars against Napoleon.
Around the XVIII century, innumerable writers and artists (Goethe, Maupassant,
Houel and many others) began to show a marked interest for the beauty of the
town and its archaeological remains. Taormina slowly acquired popularity
and fame, becoming a favourite tourist destination for high society from
all over the world, especially from England and Germany. Figures like Wolfgang
Goethe, the painter Otto Geleng, Friedrich Nietzsche, Richard Wagner, Kaiser
Wilhelm II, Oscar Wilde, the Tzar Nicholas I, Gustave Klimt, Sigmund Freud,
Gabriele D'Annunzio, Edmondo De Amicis, and bankers, aristocrats and such people
have been here in the course of time and witnessed the uniqueness of this place.
Taormina became popular for its beauty, its "dolce vita", but also for its
learned circles. The population of farmers, fishers, craftsmen turned into
traders, hotel managers, building contractors.
After the World Wars, Taormina spread its territory on the surrounding hills,
without threatening its natural charm, and tourism became the main economic
activity. Until 1968 the town was a favourite destination for winter rich
travellers, and its hotels were open only from October through June. Lots of
writers such as Truman Capote, André Gide and D.H.Lawrence, or aristocrats such
as Juliana from Netherlands, the Swedish and Danish royal family, famous artists
such as Ava Gardner, Romy Schneider, Liz Taylor, Richard Burton and Greta Garbo
spent several winter months here in their "dolce vita".
After 1968's earthquake in Belice valley, in western and central Sicily,
most of Taormina hotel managers were afraid of losing their rich regular
customers, and began renting their rooms to the major European tour operators to
save their profits. This was the beginning of a new trend in tourist
development, because since then most of the hotels devoted themselves to mass
tourism, giving up their aspiration to a high class individual tourism.
After the '70 of last century, mass tourism has caused a disorderly urban
spread and the rising of innumerable low-class hotels, restaurants and shops,
often offering a non-professional service and low-quality reception. Hotels in
Taormina have ceased to be holiday houses for privileged people, to
welcome with courtesy and dignity, and often are anonymous places for anonymous
customers as anywhere else in the world.
Today, a few businessmen are betting again on luxury hotels, maisons
de charme or private residencies, open all the year round, which have
quickly given back Taormina its old glory, elegance and richness. Corso Umberto
I, the shopping mall right in the heart of the historical centre, hosts the
windows of the major fashion "griffes" in the world, and the innumerable
cultural events in town attract tourists and visitors in every season. Taormina
keeps on being one of the most beautiful, charming and interesting places in
Sicily.
Highlights in Taormina
Saint Nicholas Church
A short distance from Porta Catania, one of the old town gates, you can find this
nice church, erected around 1400 in gothic style and whose exterior
suggests the idea of a fortress-church. The interior has a Latin cross plan and
is divided into three naves. The ceiling features wooden beams according to the
Arab style.
Saint Pancras Church
Saint Pancras is the patron saint of this town, and the church dedicated to him
was erected on the ruins of a Greek temple around half of the XUI
century. The interior, made out of multicoloured marble and local stone, hosts a
fresco portraying the martyrdom of Saint Pancras.
The Greek-Roman Theatre
The Greek-Roman theatre rises on a cliff on Tauro Mount, and it was built
by the Greeks in III century B.C. and later widened and restored by the Romans.
Since its construction it has always been one of the most active theatres under
the Greeks' rule, and it still hosts various shows during the summer season.
The acoustics is so good that even people sitting at the very back are
able to appreciate music concerts or plays. Of course acoustics is not the only
appeal of this theatre. Who wouldn't be fascinated by this magnificent stage
with the Etna and the blue Mediterranean sea on the background?
The theatre is a short distance from the shopping mall Corso Umberto I, and it's
open every day from 9.00 a.m. to 06.00 p.m.
Corvaja Palace
Corvaja Palace is a splendid example of Sicilian architecture in the XIV and XV
century. It's on Vittorio Emanuele Square, a few metres from Corso Umberto I.
The mansion boasts two magnificent halls, dating back to the XIV and XV century,
but also a remarkable bas-relief, located in a courtyard, portraying the
birth of Eve, the original sin and the chasing of Adam and Eve from Eden and
subsequent life of labour. Corvaja Palace also hosts a little museum of
Sicilian popular arts and folklore.
Sicilian Museum of Popular Arts and Folklore
This museum exhibits examples of figurative arts and artistic craftwork dating
back to the XVI through XX century. Among them are wooden statues, artistic
pottery, typical Sicilian carts, posters of puppet shows.
The Odeon
The Odeon, discovered during an archaeological campaign in 1892, is the
smaller theatre of Taormina. You can find it behind Corvaja Palace, along Corso
Umberto I. It was built at the times of Roman Emperors and its structure is very
like the Greek-Roman Theatre. It has been mostly used for exclusive shows.
Dukes of Saint Stephen Palace
Dukes of Saint Stephen Palace is located a few metres from Porta Catania, one
of the two old entrances to the historical centre. It was built on the XVI
century and its exterior shows a mixture of gothic and Arab style.
Elegant double-lancet windows alternate with lava stone carved frames,
precious capitals and sophisticated top mouldings. The ground floor hosts a
small hall used for temporary exhibitions, while the first floor hosts a
permanent exhibition of works by the sculptor Giuseppe Mazzullo.
Regional Archaeological Museum
This museum, located in the so-called "Badia Vecchia", displays a
collection of archaeological foundings brought to light between 1948 and 1998.
The exhibition is set out on two floors, and it includes objects such as little
statues, pottery, various pieces coming from the Greek-Roman Theatre,
earthenware, an alabaster urn and a Byzantine sword found in the sea next to the
"Isola Bella".
Antiquarium
It is a small exhibition area located in the Greek-Roman Theatre guardian's
house Most of the archaeological foundings displayed in it in the past have now
been moved to the archaeological museums in Naples, Syracuse and Messina, but
the Antiquarium still shows a few remarkable pieces such as the bases of a few
marble statues bearing ancient inscriptions, a few carved pillars and a marble
sarcophagus.
Naumachiae
The actual Naumachiae are only the ruins of a great thermal bath dating back to
The Roman period. They are located in the very heart of the historical centre.
"Badia Vecchia"
It's the most characteristic monument of the medieval age. Its facade is
adorned by wide lancet arch windows alternated with bands of thin columns on a
carved background, forming a sort of nice lace with their contrast between black
and white stone.
S. Augustin Church
It was built between the XV and the XVI century, according to the emerging
Renaissance style. It was renovated in the XVIII century, losing part of its
Renaissance features. Today it hosts the municipal library.
Events in Taormina
The municipality of Taormina organizes innumerable shows and cultural events,
especially in the summer. Since 1983, the most important cultural events are
organized by Taormina Arte, a cultural institution which annually plans music
concerts, drama plays, ballet or modern dance performances, and fashion shows.
Taormina Arte also takes care of Taormina Film Fest, a cinema festival
awarding the "Nastro d'argento" prizes. The favourite spot for most of these
events is the Greek-Roman Theatre, which usually hosts, for example, the Film
Fest, the musical event "Festivalbar", and the fashion show "la Kore".
Since 2005, Taormina Arte also takes care of the "Giuseppe Sinopoli Festival",
a series of music concerts dedicated to the great Sicilian conductor, died in
2001, who was artistic director of Taormina Arte for several years.