Casa Rupilio

TAORMINA
This medieval town...

by LysDor

TAORMINA




This medieval town with a heavy past, located at 200m on a plateau below Mount Tauro, for which it is named and where there are the ruins of a medieval fortress, has been and is still nowadays cheerished by tourists.

Its real fortune began in the nineteenth century, when, after a visit by Goethe who praised its beauty all over Europe, it became almost immediately a must- see-place.

I'm not very keen in visiting these kind of places but will go when its off season - plenty of space. You have then the opportunity to get acquainted much easier with locals.



I must say Sisilian are charming and very different from italians in general.
I was prepared to brush-up my italian but then everyone talked english and most intriguing was that their second (or first or third...LOL) language seemed to be german, well at least that's the feeling I got!?!!


Without Sicily, Italy leaves no image in the soul. Sicily is the key to everything.

------- Johann Wolfgang Goethe

Gruta Azzurra

by Ritac

This is a cave with an atonishing electric blue water. The water there is so salty that you will smell it from far away when you're entering. To go there you should take a boat in any beach.The cave is located near Isola Bela, to the left when you're facing the sea.

A Charming Place

by sswagner

"Alleys and Sidestreets"

In the United States, alleys are typically places that are best avoided. In Taormina, they are places which offer a chance to buy something interesting or simply admire the simple beauty of this town. There are shops, fruit stalls, works of art, and those famous balconies with hanging plants. Almost any part of Taormina would look good in a photo. Sometimes, it is really worth it to step out of the main streets and take a walk through the quieter areas.

"Alleys and Sidestreets (cont.)"

In some places, works of art and simple items for sale will be found in the narrow passageways of Taormina. One will quickly notice that this town is not exactly flat. You could be looking up towards the high hills or be looking down towards the sea. I have always found the narrow streets and walkways of Europe fascinating and Taormina has an abundance of them. These areas do not change much over time, and that often is the reason why they are so interesting to explore.

"The Theater"

I consider Taormina itself to be one large attraction, yet it does have some landmarks that could stand alone as a reason to visit here. The Greco-Roman theater is magnificent. Here, there is a combination of Greek origins, Roman modifications, and modern additions that make this place a working theater today. Performances are still held here, especially in summer. The appearance of the ancient theater against the backdrop of the town, hills, ocean, and Mt. Etna is unforgettable. It is well worth the admission price to explore the theater. There is something to see in every direction.

"Taormina's Architecture"

Sicilia's story contains many civilizations that have left a mark here. The architecture reflects this to a great degree. Besides the Greek and Roman influences in places such as the theater, it is also possible to see places that have had Arab or Norman influences. Taormina is full of structures that go from the ancient times to the more modern days. Fortunately, it does not very modern in an overall sense. It is very easy to find structures in this area which have stood for hundreds of years. While the place does offer modern conveniences, it also makes a visitor feel as if they have gone back into a different time.

"Exploring the Structures"

The setting and outdoor appearance of Taormina's structures are incredible. Yet, visitor should go inside some places and get a look around. I certainly had a chance to do this. Quiet churches offer a chance to reflect on history and see something that has changed very little. Shops offer a chance to buy many souvenirs of Sicilia. I was able to get some nice olive oil, pasta, and wine to bring home. There is a wide selection of all of these things to bring back to a kitchen at home. Restuarants offer authentic Sicilian cuisine. We could not pass up on the pasta. The gelato shops are great and make ice cream in other places seem inferior. Many people do look forward to the shops and markets here. I would say that Taormina offers something to every type of tourist that comes here. There are off the beaten path places, good places to shop, good places to eat, and a variety of sightseeing opportunities. I would guess that few people leave here disappointed.