Taormina's Greek Theater ★★

Teatro Greco of Taormina. (Photo by Scotgotchi)

Taormina's Teatro Antico is an ancient Greco-Roman theater with glorious views that is still used for performances

Taormina's only required sight is the 3rd-century BC ★★ Greco-Roman theater, a drama in and of itself hidden a few blocks down Via Teatro Greco.

When you stand at the top of the cavea, the curve of stony seats sweeping up from the stage, Taormina's prime postcard vista opens out before you. the view flies down to the coastline and, on a clear day, encompasses the mountains of Calabria across the straight to the left, and mighty Mt. Etna in the near distance directly before you. Impressive.

A performance at the Teatro Antico of Taormina. (Photo courtesy of the Coumne di Taormina) This panorama is partly blocked by the half-ruined wall and columns of a scena erected by the rather unromantic Romans, who rebuilt the theater in the AD 2nd century and used it mainly for gladiator combats.

In summer, many concerts, operas, and theater performances are still held here as part of the Taormina Arte festival (www.taormina-arte.com), and there's the June Taormina FilmFest (www.taorminafilmfest.it).

Head back up to Corso Umberto to continue the stroll through town.

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