Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
C3
Shopping
D3
30
La Torinese
D2
Sights & Activities
Teatro Greco
AMPHITHEATRE
( 094 22 32 20; Via Teatro Greco; adult/reduced/EU under 18 & over 65 €10/5/free; 9am-1hr before sunset)
Taormina's premier attraction is this perfect horseshoe-shaped theatre, suspended between
sea and sky, with Mt Etna looming on the southern horizon. Built in the 3rd century BC,
it's the most dramatically situated Greek theatre in the world and the second largest in Si-
cily (after Syracuse). In summer the theatre is used as the venue for international arts and
film festivals.
In peak season the site is best explored early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
Corso Umberto
One of the chief delights of Taormina is wandering along its pedestrian-friendly medieval
main avenue, Corso Umberto I, lined with antique and jewellery shops, delis and designer
boutiques. Midway down, pause to revel in the stunning panoramic views of Mt Etna and
the seacoast from
Piazza IX Aprile
and pop your head into the charming rococo church,
Chiesa
Continue west through the 12th-century clock tower, Torre dell'Orologio, into the
Borgo Medievale, the oldest quarter of town. A few blocks further along is
Piazza del Duomo
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
, where teenagers congregate around the ornate baroque fountain
(built 1635), which sports a two-legged centaur with the bust of an angel, the symbol of
Taormina. On the eastern side of this piazza is the 13th-century
cathedral
. It survived much
of the Renaissance-style remodelling undertaken throughout the town by the Spanish aris-
tocracy in the 15th century. The Renaissance influence is better illustrated in various
STREET
