Piazza IX Aprile represents Taormina’s core with its elegant views . It towers over the bay underneath and it is really appreciate by the tourists thanks to the gorgeous scenarios and ‘bars’ and by the street-artists who work here. T

he Clock Tower (la “Torre dell’Orologio”) and Corso Umberto define its borders. This piazza used to be a defense outpost, before being reconstructed in the 17^th century after the destruction caused by the Bourbon army. Here you can visit as well Sant’Agostino Church where today it is located the city library and the seventeenth century San Giuseppe Church.

The Cathedral– or San Nicolò Basilica  – on the western edge of Corso Umberto, close to the entrance of Porta Catania, was likely built in the thirthteenth century but it was recast many times and that’s the reason why it is still possible to recognize many architectural styles: the merlons play a major role – they were used as a defense system – as well as the richly adorned seventeenth century portal.

The Basilica has a nave and two aisles, divided by six columns and the inside is richly embellished by painting from different periods.

The Greek Theater is the most known architectural in Taormina. It was built in the III century B.C. by the Greeks, but it was recast during the Roman era. Dig into the side of a hill, the theatre has a really particular position over the sea and with the Mount Etna and the Strait of Messina on the background. This theatre was used by the Greeks for tragedies and plays, but this function was distorted by the Romans who turned it into an amphitheatre  for gladiators and wild animals battles. Its impressive dimensions – it is actually 109meters long! – and its still excellent acoustic make it one of the best locations for important cultural events.

Palazzo Corvaja rises in the eastern part of the city, in the ancient Roman forum, called today Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. Built during the Arabs domination, it must have had a defense goal: its structure has partially maintained its original Arab cubical shape, even though it was in many ways rebuilt.

In 1411 this palazzo hosted the Sicilian Parliament, which was in charge of selecting the heir of the Aragorn domain. Nowadays it is possible to visit here the Sicilian Museum of folks’ arts and traditions.

Those who live for archeology know that the discovery of the Odéon has had a pivotal importance in Archeology. This theatre was likely built in the II century B.C. during the Roman settlement and it reemerged during the 1893 dig.

Its relatively small dimensions is related to the fact that it was built on a preexisting Greek Temple. The plays acted in this theatre came basically from important music and literature works.

The naumachie are one of the biggest Roman discovery in Sicily. This construction – it is longer than 120 meters -, has big and small niches and it was used as a tank for the valleys during dryness periods. Today its foundations are used for some buildings and houses.