The theater of Taormina – I think it’s the one that is the main attraction of the place. The position is UNIQUE!
The theater is called also Greek Theater though it is thought it is Roman. It is nearly entirely of brick. Plan and arrangement are Greek that led to the conclusion that it was built on a Greek theater but by Romans.
It is the second largest theater of Sicily after Syracuse and has 120 meters of diameter. Really huge! The audience can be 10.000 people, enjoying an orchestra of 35 meters. One of course there were fights between gladiators and wild African animals like lions. The theater was less used after the Vandals conquer and the Roman decline.
It is again in use since the fifties of last century with a lot of concerts, opera, theater and TV-shows. Famous is the award of the David of Donatello and the Taormina Film Festival. Woody Allen filmed a part of his ‘Mighty Aphrodite’.
I have been here on a rainy day but remembered the theater from 20 years before on a sunny day. We were lucky this time that the rain stopped just the moment we parked our car. In summer it must be spectacular to listen to a concert or maybe view a movie. The view from here is so amazing as you can see the whole coast to Catania and on the other side versus Messina. In the back hinterland there is the Etna. I recommend to come here on a sunny morning. Early, to see the sunrise or later in the evening to see the sunset in the back. It is an amazing and unique location!
Taormina, Sicily/Italy:
For further information:
Website about Sicily
Taormina website
