 |
|
Home SICILY |
|
Taormina and Naxos
High above Taormina and its ancient castle (closed) is Castelmola, voted one of Italy's most beautiful villages, but with a dwindling population. It can be reached by a stepped footpath (785 steps) from Taormina's Corso Umberto, or more comfortably, by road. Giardini Naxos, on the coast at the foot of the hill, can also be reached by footpaths from Taormina. Founded in 734 bc, it was the first Greek settlement on Sicily. Now it is a popular resort. To top of page |
In a magnificent hill-top position, dominating the Straits of Messina,
the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, the little walled town of Taormina is thought
by many to be the most beautiful place in the world. The rich colours, perfect
climate, breathtaking panoramas, lush gardens, and the irresistible shop
windows and sidewalk cafés along Corso Umberto, the ancient main
street, make it the ideal retreat, but for this very reason it gets impossibly
crowded in spring, just when it is at its best. Piazza Duomo, with the 13th-century
cathedral dedicated to St Nicholas, and the Baroque fountain of the Centaur,
symbol of the city, is near Porta Catania, at the southern end of the corso.
The northern limit is defined by Porta Messina, close to the medieval Palazzo
Corvaia, housing the tourist office. The street leads east to the 4th-century
bc Greek Theatre, later enlarged and rebuilt by the Romans, which should
not be missed - even Guy de Maupassant said that to see it is essential!
The impressive remains have inspired writers, artists and musicians. The
luxuriant public gardens, with plants and trees from the 5 continents, were
designed and planted in the late 19th century by Florence Trevelyan, once
lady-in-waiting to Queen Victoria.