Taormina ... The Story and 18 Historical Places you must see

Porta Catania ... Taormina's Southern Gateway

Taormina … the Pearl of the Ionian Sea, a town of myth and legend, a destination for the international Jet Set and one of the most beautiful parts of Sicily.

The town has incredible energy, beautiful colours, exciting aromas, the tastes of authentic Sicilian cuisine and is full of rich Ancient History.

A Brief History of Taormina

Taormina was founded in 358 in the period when the Greek colony of Naxos was being destroyed by the tyrant Dionysius of Syracuse. The people of Naxos looked towards the mountains for a new settlement. The Greeks named the town Tauromenion.

Thereafter the Romans invaded the town and named it Tauromenium. It was the Romans who added most of the splendour to the town. In fact the remains of many magnificent Roman monuments can still be seen today in Taormina.

The town was neglected and suffered decay in the last days of the Roman period but was born again during the presence of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantine nobles preferred it to be their place of residence and enriched Taormina with many architectural monuments.

In 902 the town was invaded by the Arabs who destroyed it almost completely and killed almost the entire population of Taormina.

A new life came to the town with the arrival of the Christians who named the reconstructed town New Taormina. But it did not last for long as the Arabs returned in 962 guided by the Emir Ahmed. After this occupation Taormina was given the name Almezia, in honour of the Caliph of Bagdad, its new ruler.

In 1078 the town, which at this time resembled a Muslim fortress, was liberated by the Normans after a siege that lasted for five months. The liberation was made possible by the union of the Normans with the Aragonese.

In 1410 Taormina became an official seat of the Sicilian Parliament, Taormina remained faithful to the Aragonese supporting them in the war against Messina in 1675 which at that time was occupied by the French.

In 1860 the citizens of Taormina rose up against the Bourbons opening the city gates to Garibaldi’s army.

Ever since this time Taormina lost its status as a fortress and the defence of the Ionian coast and gained the reputation of an international tourist destination which it still enjoys to this day.

18 Historical Places Not to Miss

Corso Umberto

The main pedestrianised street Corso Umberto runs from Porta Messina to Porta Catania and is 800 metres long. Historically it was the main part of the most important route for travellers between the cities of Messina and Catania, the ancient street was then known as Via Valeria.

Via Valeria connected the coastline at Spisone with the North gate of the town at Porta Messina towards Porta Catania and then back down the valley towards Giardini Naxos.

Until the last century, when the construction of the Highway SS114 was completed, Via Valeria was the only way to get from one end of the Ionian Coast to the other. Corso Umberto is at the heart of Taormina’s centre where you can see the following monuments;

Palazzo Corvaja

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele

This was the main meeting point for the Agora, the Greek assembly and afterwards the forum for the Romans.

Palazzo Corvaja

In 1410 this was where the official seat of the Sicilian Parliament was situated. Here you can see different historical periods in the architecture, including Arabic and Norman. Today you will find the tourist information centre located inside.

Chiesa Santa Caterina and The Roman Odeon

The Church of Saint Catherine was built in the 17^th Century on the remains of a Roman theatre (Odeon). The remains date back to the times of Caesar Octavian Augustus which can be seen behind the church and is also visible inside.

Naumachie

Naumachie

To the left of Corso Umberto from Porta Messina there is Via Naumachie, representing one of the most important monuments of architecture from Roman times. There is a long brick wall which consists of niches with round arches. It is thought that it was once used as a gymnasium for Roman soldiers.

Piazza IX Aprile

This is the central piazza with wonderful sea views where you can see;

Chiesa di Sant’Agostino

This church was built in 1448 and is nowadays the town’s library.

Chiesa di San Giuseppe

This cathedral was built in the 17^th Century and is connected with a bell tower. The entrance to the church is accessed by two beautiful staircases.

Chiesa di San Giuseppe, Piazza IX Aprile

The Middle Gate (The Clock Tower)

This was the third wall of the city fortress in the middle ages. It is situated under the clock tower and was built between the 11^th and 12^th Century, this is where the medieval town was founded.

Palazzo Ciampoli

This is the remains of a typical palace of the 15^th Century.

Chiesa Madre (Cathedral of San Nicola)

Leaving Piazza Aprile heading towards Porta Catania this cathedral was built during the reign of King Frederic III of Aragon.

Chiesa e Convent di San Domenico

Slightly off from Corso Umberto the building of the church and convent began in 1347 on the remains of the family Castle of Rosso di Cerami. The church was finished in 1500 together with the main building. Other parts including the bell tower were added in the 18^th Century. The building suffered bomb damage in 1943 during World War II. Now San Domenico is one of Taormina’s most elite hotels, favoured by the fashion designers Dolce and Gabbana for photo shoots.

Cathedral of San Nicola and Quattro Fontane

Quattro Fontane

In Piazza Duomo in front of the Cathedral of San Nicola, this Baroque fountain was built in 1635. It is said if you drink from this fountain you will stay forever young.

Badia Vecchia

This is one of Taormina’s most beautiful buildings, it is the remains of a 15th Century abbey and is now home to the towns Museum of Archaeology displaying relics from Roman times.

Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano

This 14^th Century palace near Porta Catania is part of the original city wall and is now a popular venue for wedding ceremonies.

Ex-Chiesa San Antonio

Just beyond Porta Catania this was a smaller church with a bell tower that dates back to the 14^th Century. Nowadays it is the home of the town’s Christmas nativity scene where you can see the famous buildings of Taormina in miniature.

Teatro Greco Antico (The Greek Theatre)

The Greek Theatre was built in Greek times but was reconstructed during the Roman Empire period. The theatre is divided into three parts, the stage, the orchestra pit and the spectator’s area. The natural curve of the hill was used to build the spectator’s area. The stage was constructed creating a natural backdrop with the Bay of Naxos and Mount Etna as scenery.

Teatro Greco ... The Greek Theatre

Byzantine Tombs

Away from Corso Umberto you can see these tombs on the upper part of Via Pirandello. There are about 50 tombs built into a thick wall in two rows. This is where the Arab’s necropolis (cemetery) was situated during their invasion of Taormina.

There are many ways to experience Taormina ... why not book a walking tour? 
Please feel free to Email me at sarah@whitealmond-privatesicily.com for my top recommendations 

Byzantine Tombs on Via Pirandello

Byzantine Mosaic under the Middle gate

Piazza IX Aprile and the Middle Gate Clocktower

Middle Gate of Taormina

Palazzo Corvaja Details

Palazzo Duchi di San Stefano

I Heart Taormina <3

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