Taormina is a town on the island of Sicily in Italy, and in ancient times was a Greek colony (Tauromenium), dating from about 400 BC, which submitted to Roman authority in 212 BC during the Second Punic War.

Taormina is in the Province of Messina, together with the beautiful Aeolian Islands and the ancient city of Milazzo. It can be reached via highways (autostradas) from Messina to the North and Catania to the South. Taormina has been a very popular destination with tourists since the 19th century. It has beautiful beaches (accessible via a Funicular) by the Ionian sea, which is remarkably warm and has a high salt content. Isola Bella is a stunning nature reserve that is just south of Taormina. Tours of the Capo Sant' Andrea grottos are also available. Taormina is built on an extremely hilly coast, and is approximately a forty-five minute drive away from Europe's largest active volcano, Mount Etna.

The remains of the teatro greco, the "Greek theatre", are not actually Greek, as the theatre was rebuilt by the Romans in the 2nd century BC on the site of the original theatre. With a diameter of 109 metres (after an expansion in the 2nd century), this theatre is the second largest of its kind in Sicily; it is frequently used for operatic and theatrical performances and for concerts. In the late 19th century Taormina gained some prominence as the place where Wilhelm von Gloeden worked most of his life as a photographer of predominantly male nudes.

More on [ Taormina ]

NYT > Italy

Attacks on Foreign Tourists Stir Crime Debate in Italy
By ELISABETTA POVOLEDOOpposition lawmakers leapt on the episodes as showing that the government’s stance on crime and illegal immigration had been little more than window dressing.
At Conference on the Risks to Earth, Few Are Optimistic
By ANDREW C. REVKINThe goal of the conference is to foster “a science without secrets and without borders,” mixing disciplines and cultures, in the hopes of propelling breakthroughs.
Spotlight on Local Laws Turns La Dolce Vita a Bit Sour
By ELISABETTA POVOLEDOWhat began as a bit of summer fun in the Italian news media spun into an incident after a London newspaper wrote: “Tourists beware: if it’s fun, Italy has a law against it.”
U.S. Tops Germany to Secure Spot in Men’s Water Polo Semifinals
By PETE THAMELWith an 8-7 victory, the United States staved off elimination and completed its stunning run by winning its group.
Drink Outside the Box
By TYLER COLMANWine in a box makes sense environmentally and economically. Vintners in the United States would be wise to embrace the trend that is slowly gaining acceptance worldwide.
A Caesarland for Rome?
By JULIE BLOOM; COMPILED BY BEN SISARIOThe city of Rome has announced plans to build an expansive theme park just outside its limits.

Subscribe to Italy RSS feed