Taormina is a popular resort with its own beach and sea views. It was a stop on the Grand Tour in the 1800s.
There are a lot of interesting buildings in Taormina. Walking from our hotel up to the center of town, we found Villa Carlotta, now a boutique hotel.
Nearby is the Tombe Bizantine. You'll pass this walking on Via Bagnoli Croce.
The Giardino Colonna is a public garden across the street from one of the entrances to the Greco Teatro. It once belonged to the English noblewoman Lady Florence Trevelyan and was built in the late nineteenth century.
The "villa" located in the garden.
Fountains dot the garden.
War Memorial inside the garden.
Statue by Piero Guidi--Angeli del Nostro Tempo
It rained the night before and cars were covered with a red dust. It was thought the dust blew from the Sahara Desert.
The Teatro Antico is the highlight of Taormina. More in a later post.
Chiesa S. Caterina is a Baroque church built in the 17th century.
The Largo S Catarina and Porta Catania is the start of the Norman side of Taormina.
The Hotel Excelsior Palace was built in 1904 in the neo-Moorish style just outside the wall.
Sant'Antonio Abate is a small chapel near the Porta Catania.
Step inside to see the presepi--an elaborate nativity scene that is customary in Sicily and southern Italy.
Follow Rick Steves' tour to see Taormina. Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano was once the home of a noble family. Today, it houses modern art exhibits.
Chiesa di San Michele used to be a Jewish synagogue. The little door on the left is the entry to the mikvah orJewish ritual bath.
San Domenico Convent, now the San Domenico Palace Hotel, served as the backdrop for many Italian movies. This was bombed heavily during WW II because the Nazi General Field Marshall Keselring took over the building as his headquarter.
Piazza Duomo and the Duomo. It was built in the 13th century and has several architectural styles. Blocky crenellations, a rose window and a Baroque doorway.
The fountain outside was built by Spaniards in 1635. It's featured on the town's coat of arm.
The statue was originally a Minotaur but the front hooves were chiseled off. A bust of a crowned woman was added. She holds a sphere in one hand and a scepter in the other--both symbols of power.
The City Hall
The star of David is a reminder this used to be the Jewish quarter of town.
The wide low arch over the doorway can be found throughout Taormina. This is a feature of Catalan-Gothic architecture common from the 13th to 15th centuries.
More doorways with arches.
This gate marks the beginning of Taormina's historic Greek core.
On Piazza IX Aprile, you'll find outdoor terraces.
Chiesa San Giuseppe, also known as the Purgatory Church.
Church that has been converted into the town library.
The former Church of Santa Maria del Piliere was built in 1530. It's now a restaurant
Ruins of a Roman theater or Odeon. It was covered by a roof and used for more intimate performances.
Palazzo Corvaja. The Arabs originally built on top of a Roman forum to create a defensive tower. The Spaniards expanded it and for a time the Sicilian parliament met here. Today, it houses the TI.
Porta Messina--the northeast gate into town. Just beyond it is the gondola that will take you to Isola Bella beach.
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