Taormina - Taormina

Taormina is a city in the Messina Province on the east coast of Sicily.

background

The town of Taormina, located on a plateau above the Sicilian east coast, developed thanks to the picturesque view of Mount Etna and the offshore island Isola bella, the numerous sights and the mild climate even in winter make it a preferred destination in Sicily.

history

They settled on Monte Tauro Siculer even before the Greek colonization, with the Greek colonists in the neighboring one Naxos friendly relations were cultivated. After the destruction of Naxos by the tyrant Dionysius I of Syracuse in 403 BC. its inhabitants were taken from the city, which is the Greek name Tauromenion received. The city later came under the rule of Syracuse until the Romans took over Sicily with the First Punic War.

In the Roman Tauromenium Fortifications, villas and large cisterns were built, thanks to which the town, strategically located on the rocky plateau, was to withstand longer sieges. These had a positive effect on the city, which after two years of siege did not have to surrender to the Arabs until 906, after the Christian population had tried to profit from differences between different Arab groups and dared an uprising, this was brutally suppressed. The city remained in their hands until the siege of the Normans, which after an equally long time only led to the surrender of the Arabs in 1078.

The town flourished again under the rule of the Hohenstaufen and the House of Aragòn, and in 1410 the Sicilian parliament came into being in the presence of the queen Bianca di Navarra in the Palazzo Corvaja together. In 1675 Taormina remained loyal to the Spanish crown during the uprising against Spain and was promptly besieged and conquered by the French fighting on the side of Messina, the city was only later granted privileges for its loyalty to Spain under the Bourbon rule.

In the 19th century the city was visited by numerous personalities from Europe during their trips to Sicily and its beauty became famous, Lady Florence Trevelyan acquired the island Isola bella and put the Giardino at. In the seventies the city was "discovered" by mass tourism, the accommodation options were quickly expanded ...

getting there

By plane

The nearest airport is that 37.46666666666715.063888888889Catania airport(IATA: CTA)

By train

National rail connections from mainland Italy are via a rail ferry to Messina and further after Catania led that 37.8453715.282671 Stazione F.S. Taormina-Giardini on the route Messina - Catania located in Giardini Naxos near the coast. The ascent up to Taormina can be done on foot, but is difficult with luggage, a bus or taxi ride is recommended.

By bus

Bus connections on 37.85291615.2940252 Bus station the operator Interbus and Etnatrasporti connect Taormina to the airport in about 90 minutes Catania, there is also a local bus network to and from the train station Giardini - Naxos, up after Castelmola and in a northerly direction to Letojanni and Forza d'Agro.

In the street

Is problem-free Taormina about the toll Messina - Taormina - Catania - Syracuse accessible, the parking spaces 37.8570615.287793 Parcheggio Lumbi in the north are about the You can reach Taormina, then the highway crosses under the city, from the next Giardini - Naxos is the parking garage 37.8506215.280484 Parcheggio Porta Catania easier to get to in the south.
Alternatively, you can take the coastal road Oriental sicula of Messina - Cataniawhich is toll-free but strenuous to drive (through town roads, risk of traffic jams). The circumnavigates Taormina near the coast, from where the into town and further up to Castelmola.
The leads from Giardini Naxos above Francavilla di Sicilia through the mountainous hinterland to San Biagio on the north coast.

mobility

The easiest way to get around the partly car-free old town of Taormina is on foot ASM (Azienda Servizi Municipalizzatti Taormina) with its orange bus fleet has a bus service from 37.8570615.287795 Parcheggio Lumbi to Piazza Sant'Antonio and a line that also connects the train station and the old town. Another original way to get to the old town is to go to the coast near the to park and the 37.8551915.29938Funivia6 Funivia Mazzarò cable car - Taormina the ASM to use for 3.00 €, in summer a bathing bus runs the ASM also to the beaches of Mazzarò.

Tourist Attractions

Street and places

• from the west, starting at the 37.85113715.2813171 Piazza S. Antonio AbateType is color designation, the Corso Umberto I. to the northwest through the city. Through the 37.85111815.281732 Porta CataniaType is color designation you get past the Cattedrale San Nicolò to 37.8515615.2857963 Piazza IX AprilType is color designation, to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele and to Porta Messina, at the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele goes the Via Teatro Greco at right angles to the southeast.

Churches and sacred buildings

• the 37.85103915.2812091 Chiesa Sant 'Antonio Abate is located on the piazza of the same name in the west of the city in front of the city gate 'Porta Catania, the church dates from 1330.
• the 37.85099515.2827812 Duomo S. Nicolò resp. the Cattedrale di San Nicolò Basically comes from the 13th century. and was in the 17th century. rebuilt. The side portal dates from the 16th century, the entrance portal from 1636. The rose marble columns built into the interior may come from the Greek theater, which is worth seeing Byzantine Madonna. The Baroque fountain with the centaur woman from 1635 on the Piazza Duomo is one of the landmarks of the city.
• the 37.85164115.284573 Chiesa del Varò comes from the 19th century.
• the 37.85165615.2856084 Chiesa di San Giuseppe was built in baroque style and is located on the north side of Piazza IX Aprile, to which a double staircase leads up.
• also at the Piazza IX April lies the 37.85161115.2859815 Ex-Chiesa di Sant 'AgostinoType is group designation, the end of the 15th century. built and in the 18th century. was rebuilt, today the city library is housed in it. From the terrace of the Piazza IX April from there you can have a wonderful view of the coast.
• at the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele next to the Palazzo Corvaja stands the 37.85380515.2882936 Chiesa Santa Caterina d'AlessandriaIn the rear part of which the foundation walls of an odeion from Roman times were integrated.
• the 37.855425715.2881627 Chiesa dei Cappucini is located on the Via capuccini, a little behind the 37.854665,15.288205 Porta dei Cappuccini.
• the 37.85556315.2897668 Chiesa di San Pancrazio was built on walls from Greek times and old predecessor buildings in the baroque style.
• the remains of the 37.85208415.2830319 Badia Vecchia, a former abbey, have been restored, in the building are archaeological finds in a small one archaeological museum to see.
• the 37.84989115.28280310 Chiesa San Domenico is located on the Via Romathat bypasses the old town in the south.

Castles and Palazzi

• the 37.85077515.28172411 Palazzo Duchi di Santo StefanoType is group designation was in the 14th century. from the De Spuches family in the Arabic - Norman style resp. built in the style of the Sicilian Gothic. In 1964 it was acquired by the city of Taormina, and a foundation shows works by the artist Giuseppe Mazzullo.
• the Palazzo Municipale is also on the Piazza Duomo.
• the 37.85154315.28541512 Torre dell 'OrologgioType is group designation or Torre di Mezzo comes from the 13th century. and connects the suburb with the central one with its archway Piazza IX April, when it was rebuilt in 1679, it was fitted with a large clock.
• the foundations of several houses on the right side of the corso consist of the vaulted arches of the 37.85328615.28788313 NaumachiaType is group designation from Roman times, a monumental fountain system.
• the 37.85385415.28843314 Palazzo CorvajaType is group designation at the Piazza Vitt. Emanuele was in 11.-15. Century erected, the building in the Arab-Norman style served the Spanish queen Bianca di Navarra as a summer residence and was the meeting place of the Sicilian Parliament in 1410.
• behind the Chiesa di S. Caterina are the remains of the Roman church 37.85393415.28800115 OdeionType is group designation, a small theater for music lectures and theater performances, from the 1st century. B.C. to see.
• Corso Umberto ends at the north 37.85446215.28891316 Porta MessinaType is group designation.
• a little to the west is the one 37.85466115.2882117 Porta dei CappucciniType is group designation.

• the 37.85235215.29217418 Greco TheaterType is group designation is from the Piazza Vitt. Emanuele about the Via Teatro Greco reachable.
  

The Hellenistic theater was in the 3rd century. v. And probably in the 2nd century. B.C. generously rebuilt to its present state under the rule of the Romans. The theater, with a diameter of 109 m and an auditorium divided into nine sectors, held around 10,000 spectators. From the stage building, the Skene there are still impressive remains, the stage wall has partially collapsed. The one resulting from the gap View of Mount Etna probably one of the most photographed postcard views of Sicily. In Roman times, the orchestra was rebuilt to accommodate stage machinery, but also to convert the theater for animal and gladiator games.

Parks

• the 37.85126415.289983Giardino Pubblico1 Type is color designationGiardino Pubblico was at the end of the 19th century. laid out by the English community, Florence Trevelyan had pagoda-like towers built. The park has been open to the public since 1920. The Greek theater can be reached via an uphill path.

activities

• Ascent on the 37.85287115.28625219 Via crucis to 37.85378815.284015Chiesa Madonna della Rocca20 Chiesa Madonna della Rocca, from where there is an excellent panoramic view over the coast and the Stretto. The church was built around 1640 in the area of ​​a grotto.
  

You can continue on the same path to 37.8544715.28451921 Castello di Monte Tauro be ascended, that Sarazeno Castle was probably in the 10th century. built.

• the 37.8523815.29995Lidi1 Bathing beaches are in the district of Mazzarò, you can take the bathing bus or the gondola lift Funivia reachable.
• the picturesque 37.8504815.3001622 Isola Bella was at the end of the 19th century. owned by Florence TrevelyanIn 1990 the island was acquired by the public sector, with its exceptional fauna due to its protected location, the island, which was connected to the mainland by a sandbank at low tide, was sheltered in 1998 natural reserve posed.

shop

The choice of shops on Corso Umberto I. is enormous, in Taormina the delicious Sicilian marzipan fruits are found in several places Frutta di Martorana offered.

kitchen

• Casa Giolì Art Restaurant, Via Giordano Bruno, 2 - 98039 Taormina (Messina). Tel.: 39 0942 683017. In the beautiful Taormina, just a few steps from the Duomo. modern touch of Sicilian cuisine, in a place that hosts exhibitions by young emerging artists.last change: not specified

nightlife

The Greek theater is still used today. Concerts, opera performances and the like take place there. No matter what is given, just the wide view over the Aspromonte, the Strait from Messina to Mount Etna in the sunset and at the blue hour behind the stage are worth the entrance fee. Then Gianna Nannini, Diana Krall or Nabucco, a memory for life.

accommodation

• Hotel Giardino dei Greci, C. Da Sirina - Via dei Sei Mulini, 98035 Giardini Naxos (Messina). Tel.: 39 0942 51514, Fax: 39 0942 550079. The hotel is located in the Bay of Taormina in Giardini Naxos.last change: not specified

• Hotel Villa Gaia, Via Fazzello, 34, 98039 Taormina (Messina). Tel.: 39 0942 23185, Fax: 39 0942 23185. The Hotel Villa Gaia is located in the old town of Taormina.last change: not specified

• Hotel Villa Caterina, Via Silipigni, 17, 98039 Taormina (Messina). Tel.: 39 0942 24709, Fax: 39 0942 24709. The villa is close to the old town and the sea. Double room from 102 €.last change: not specified

• Hotel Villa Sirina, Via Crocifisso 30 98039 Taormina. Tel.: 39 0942 51776, Fax: 39 0942 51671. The hotel is housed in an old Sicilian villa.last change: not specified

• Residence degli Agrumi, Via Di Giovanni 67 98039 Taormina. Tel.: 39 0942.24218, Fax: 39 0942.899115. The quietly located residence looks out onto a terrace with evergreen plants, prickly pears and lemon trees. The bright and spacious apartments all have a TV, radio and washing machine.last change: not specified

Learn

• Babilonia, Via Timoleone 10. Tel.: 39-0942-23441, Fax: 39-0942-23441, Email: [email protected]. Italian language and culture courses in an ancient villa near the Greek theater in Taormina.last change: not specified

Practical advice

• a 37.85108615.2814881 Poste Italiane (Post Office) is located at the Piazza Sant'Antonio Abate.

trips

• Castelmola. The mountain village on Monte Tauro (easily accessible by bus).last change: not specified

• Gola dell 'Alcantara. The river's canyon carved into the basalt Alcantara.last change: not specified

literature

Web links

• http://www.comune.taormina.me.it - Taormina Official Website
• Website with information about Taormina, engl.