To me, Taormina, is the most beautiful place in the world to visit. I
have been there three times, and have not changed my mind! Walking on
this hallowed ground--knowing that its' history precedes the B.C. era, is so
inspiring. I am fascinated by their remarkable works, structures and
sculptures .. and always wanting to learn more about the people who once
lived here! And... always wanting to come back! Today, I share my
research and experiences with you.. about this beautiful city. Enjoy!
Taormina is located on a plateau below Mount Tauro, for which it is named. This little city seems to be suspended over the sea with an unbelievable panorama of two grand, sweeping bays below...and, on its southern side, the view of spectacular Mount Etna, Europe's highest active volcano. Visitors are offered a breathtaking, dramatic and memorable view of over almost one hundred miles of Mediterranean sea.
Taormina has endlessly winding medieval streets and tiny passages, each with its own secrets: great restaurants, cafés and ice cream bars. Some of these intriguing places are secluded gardens hidden by stone walls, others are set on terraces overlooking the coast or in more public but equally pleasant squares. Taormina is beautiful by day but in the evenings its atmosphere is simply enchanting, whether you stroll the illuminated streets or indulge in the view of the coast over a delicious dinner.
Then there's the
rarer spectacle of Mount Etna's nocturnal fires as lava flows along the
snow-covered slopes of Europe's greatest natural wonder, leaving a stream of
steam and light in its wake. Within its eternal stone walls, old Taormina
has fascinating archeological monuments and medieval homes. Magnificent
views of the sea complete the picture. The most famous is the view
overlooking the Greek-Roman amphitheatre, one of Sicily's largest, with
Mount Etna and the sea in the background.
If you're looking for a long glimpse of Sicily's beauty and history
from many angles in a single place, Taormina is a good choice where there
are the ruins of two medieval fortresses. Taormina's ancient Greek splendor,
medieval charm and unique views of Mount Etna and the Ionian coast afford
the visitor a lasting impression of Sicily. As soon as you arrive in
Taormina, you will feel the magical, mythical atmosphere which has enchanted
visitors from all over the world for decades.
Beauty and uniqueness everywhere! Bougainville trees in the squares, and outdoor cafes that "step up" to their patrons pleasure!
After a visit, these scenes will leave an indelible picture in your mind, never to be forgotten! Do a "three-sixty"! Absorb the gracious architecture in Aprile Square, above it, the cross of Madonna della Rocco Church... and to the right on the hill the castle ruins... across the square, the incredible view from thousands of feet below of the bays and towns and the gardens... and directly across-- the impressive Mount Etna.
Let's Start with the HISTORY---The name of Taormina was initially Tauromenion, from the Greek "habitation on the Tauro," the hill on which it was built. Greeks from nearby Naxos, one of the oldest Greek colonies, founded the city. Taormina made its appearance in world history in the year 736 B.C., the first year of the eleventh Olympic Games.
The little city was destined to be a tourist resort throughout history. The "embryo" stage of Taormina's life lasted from 736 to 425 A.C. Nothing more is actually known of that period. Then, in the year 403 A.C. troubles began when ancient people like the Sicels, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Arabs, Normans and Spaniards chose it as their residential site because of its beautiful location, mild climate and magic atmosphere. In other words all of its conquerors, inhabited Taormina for long periods and not only because of political vicissitudes, but because of its beauty.
Throughout various historical events, the city finally found itself under the Spanish crown until 1860, the year when it was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. From that moment on the city stopped being a political and military center and started transforming into an internationally renowned tourist attraction-- thanks to its natural and artistic beauties.
Through the ages, Taormina was an invincible fortress because its life was linked to its walls, its agora, its Theatre and its Gymnasium. The Greek period saw the construction, in the 3rd century BC, of one of Taormina's most characteristic constructions, the Teatro antico, which was then transformed into an amphitheatre by the Romans.
Today, visitors can
still find fine examples of Taormina's golden times: the splendid Greek
Theatre (smaller, but of similar model, is the Odeon, characterized by its
division in three parts that is typical of Roman theatres), the Roman
"Naumachiae" (a long wall with 18 great niches that contained statues of
heroes, also from the Greek-Roman period.), the 13th century Cathedral of
Saint Nicolò (built in 1400 on the remains of a medieval church and
decorated with a renaissance rose window), the 14th century Palazzo Corvaja
(the city's most important palace with a mixed style that includes Arab,
Gothic and Norman, the result of various remakes), the 16th century Palace
of the Dukes of Saint Stefano (typical examples of Sicilian gothic art, also
from the medieval period.), the Public Gardens, the "Badia Vecchia" (Ancient
Abbey) the 11th century military tower, the Saracen castle, (built on the
ancient Greek acropolis) and many others.
Over the ages, some of these monuments had been almost completely
destroyed, but the city will never lose its vitality.
In more than one hundred years the tourism in Taormina have had ups and
downs. But the town is still the dream of the tourists from all the world
who love the beauties of nature and art.
Taormina harbor below
“If a man had only one day to spend in Sicily and asked what is there to see, I would answer without hesitation: ”Taormina”, wrote the French man Guy de Maupassant more then a century ago. And explained: "It’s a painting, this village, but a painting in which you will find everything which seems to be made on this earth, to seduce the eyes, the spirit and the imagination. It’s a terrace suspended in the blue, this village, embraced from the ridges of Mount Tauro. They had a good instinct the Greek, when they built the acropolis (205 meters above sea level) and a theatre which, for natural scenery, is more delightful then the same model of Epidauro in Greece. In the background the bay of Naxos, the first colony in Sicily, is at night adorned with thousands of lights, and Mount Etna covered with snow for five months of the year, offers eruptions to the spectators of an unexpected program of suggestions." - Guy de Maupassant
