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Via Nazionale 98039 Taormina (ME) ITALY 
Tel: +39 338 59 45 696  Fax: +39 0942 2 49 95
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Taormina, a visit of the town... and usefull informations...

The Greek Theatre:

It is fifty metres wide, one hundred and twenty metres long and twenty metres high, which means that about 100,000 cubic metres of stone had to be removed. Further evidence that the Theatre is of Greek origin is in the well-cut biocks of Taormina stone (similar to marble) below the scene of the Theatre; these are a typical example of the ancient Greek building technique.

The theatre is divided into three main sections: the scene, the orchestra and the cavea.The scene is opposite the cavea and is obviously where the actors used to perform. Seen from Santuario "Madonna della Rocca" there is now a large ten-metre long portion missing in the centre of the scene, supposedly caused by attacks during the wars. This serious damage to the theatre makes it nevertheless even more evocative due to the magnificent panorama (the bay of Naxos and Mount Etna) which can now be seen. ..

 

The Palazzo S. Stefano:

It was an integral part of the second city walls. Built between the end of the fourteenth century and the first years of the fifteenth century, it is a masterpiece of the Gothic Sicilian art, which persisted being anchored to the Arab-Norman style. The arab-norman permanences are remembered by the decoration on the Palace's top ( a wide frieze in lava stone, alternate with rhombus-shaped wedges in white stone from Syracuse, which runs, forming a magnificent lace of inlays, along the eastern and northern fronts) and by the square tower crowned with swallow-tailed merlons.
It has three storeys with an area of 100 square metres apiece and it's adorned with four very precious elaborated mullions (windows with two lights): pierced roses and three-lobed little arcs with a triplex cordon in the acute arcs' jambs. Two drawbridges allowed to go on the upper floors .
The staircase which from the groundfloor leads to the first floor was built in 1700.
In the garden there is still the well used for the rain water's harvest.

La Torre Dell’Orologio:

It acts as gate of enter to the part of the town which is definite fifteenth-century suburb.
It dates back to the twelfth century, but in 1676 it was razed to the ground, during the French invasion, by means of Luigi the fourteenth's troops. 
The still visible tower is a reconstruction made in 1679, wanted by the citizen, who then made build the big clock too, by which it takes the name.
The first tower was erected on the ruins of the ancient defensive building construction, which dates back to the age of the origin of the town, that is around the fourth century BC. This thesis is confirmed by the foundations of the Tower, because they're made with big square blocks in stone from Taormina
.

Il Palazzo Corvaja:

It takes the name from the Corvaja family, one of the most ancient and noble families of Taormina, which possessed it from 1538 to 1945. It rises in Abbey square and is the most important medieval palace of which the town boasts. It has an Arabic style and at the same time Gothic and Norman, turned out from transformations brought by various dominations. The battlements of the tower, composed from a double series of square holes, surmounted from little merlons, were made by Arabian craftsmen, while Gothic the mullions (windows with two lights) in the fourteenth-century saloon, Norman the fifteenth-century room (lit up by four mullions and by one window with three lights) where the reunions of the Sicilian Parliament took place.
Initially it was an Arabian tower, built for military purposes. The tower was widened at the end of the thirteenth century with the addition of the main body to the left of the entry portal and with the addition of the entry staircase, which from the courtyard leads to the first floor

The Public Garden (La Villa):

Known by various names including the Villa Comunale, the Giardino Trevelyan and the Parco Duchi di Cesarò, the public park on Via Bagnoli Croce is a pretty and peaceful spot. An English-style garden, it was designed by Florence Trevelyan, who lived in Taormina at the end of the nineteenth century. A panoramic walkway lined with benches faces the view over the sea and Etna, while flower-beds, lawns, hedges, trees and bushes spread over the large terrace. There are several fascinating follies to admire, including cottages and towers, as well as a collection of caged birds, some old artillery, a children's play area and a bar (the latter two are not always open).

The Cathedral:

The fortitude Cathedral, as it was defined, was built around 1400 onto the ruins of a little medieval church dedicated to St. Nicola from Bari.
It has a structure at latin cross with three aisles. The six small altars find place in the two side aisles. Six columns, three for side, of monolithic origin in pink marble from Taormina and surmounted by decorated capitals in leaf and scale of fish, support the central aisle. This one opens under a ceiling with beams of wood and carved shelves, which reproduce Arabian motives made in Gothic style.
Of notable interest the principal portal, restructured in 1636, with a big carved rose window inspired to the Renaissance


usefull informations...

 Best restaurants in Taormina:

 

1.                  Restaurant Vicolo Stretto (very charming – need reservation)

Located in the main street, just a few meters before the main square with the sea view.  As soon as you enter the main street, walk for abt 500 meters.  You will see the main square of the town with a nice sea view.  Just 20 meters before the square on the right you will notice the insigna of the restaurant (tel: 0039 0942 2 49 95).  Please tell the owners (Anna Maria or Francesco) that you are Claudio’s guests

2.                  Restaurant Il Barcaiolo:

      Located in the bay of Mazzaro’, seaside.  Just walk down to the sea, cross all the bay on your left.  You will see some boats and left of them is the Restaurant. 

3.                  Restaurant Arco Dei Cappuccini:

       From Porta Messina Arch (the entrance to the main street) just walk up left.  You will see another arch on your right.  Enter the arch and the restaurant is on your right.

4.                  Restaurant La Giara:

                              Located in the main street just 100 meters before the main square with sea view.  Walking the main sttreet you will easily see the restaurant.

5.                  Restaurant Pizzeria Granduca:

                              Located in the main street just 300 meters before the Porta Catania arch (the end of the main street) is easily visible while you walk.  It is a nice place to have also a good Pizza.

 

The Tourist office:

It is located in Piazza Badia square, the first square you will see entering the main street from Porta messina Arch.

The Post Office:

There are 2.  One is located at the end of the main street. Just cross the Porta Catania arch and you will see it on your left.  The other one is located in the cable car square.

Taxi Service in town and/or pick up at Catania airport:

Our friend Mr. Alfio Magari (tel: 0039 339 240 62 81 – magaritransfert@tao.it) )will be very pleased to help you.  Should you not be able to get in touch with him while in town you can call the city taxy service at 0039 0942 2 30 00.

Taormina Arte – Film Festival, Opera, Music (from June till September)

It is located at on the way to the Greek Theatre.  Just enter the main street and after the first square with taxi drivers walk up on your left.  It is a big palace and easily visible from the square.  You can buy there tickets for every event.

We wish you a very nice and relaxing holiday in our lovely town!

The Staff of Taorminaholidays