Greek Theatre and views of Mount Etna

Built by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC and later enlarged by the Romans, the Ancient Theatre is the second largest in Sicily and one of the most iconic in the world. Carved into the rock of Monte Tauro and measuring 109 metres in diameter, it offers a breathtaking natural backdrop: Mount Etna smoking in the distance, the Gulf of Schisò below and the coastline stretching as far as Syracuse. Goethe saw it in 1787 during his Grand Tour and was captivated by its unrivalled natural setting.

«If one takes a seat at the highest point once occupied by the ancient spectators, one must admit that probably no theatre audience has ever had such a view before them.» Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Italian Journey, Taormina, 7 May 1787

• ✓Cavea with 9 sections, 35-metre orchestra, original capacity of 10,000 spectators
• ✓Views of Mount Etna, the Gulf of Schisò and the Ionian coast as far as Syracuse
• ✓Arena for gladiatorial games in Roman times, now an open-air stage for international concerts
• ✓Taormina Arte and Taormina Film Fest, David di Donatello, artists such as Elton John and Sting

Corso Umberto, Piazza IX Aprile and Palazzo Corvaja

Stretching between Porta Messina and Porta Catania, Corso Umberto is the pedestrian street running through the medieval heart of Taormina. Piazza IX Aprile offers spectacular views of the turquoise sea and Mount Etna. Palazzo Corvaja, an Arab-Norman building dating back to the 10th century, bears witness to centuries of Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab and Norman rule. Its architectural blend reflects the many layers of Sicilian history that Taormina perfectly embodies.

The tradition of the Grand Tour: from the 18th century onwards, young European aristocrats visited Taormina as an essential stop on their educational journey through Italy. Goethe, Maupassant and D. H. Lawrence were among those captivated by its beauty.

• ✓Corso Umberto: boutiques, historic cafés and noble palaces
• ✓Piazza IX Aprile: sea views, Clock Tower and Baroque Church of San Giuseppe
• ✓Palazzo Corvaja: Arab-Norman architecture, home to a museum
• ✓Isola Bella: accessible by cable car from the Villa Comunale