Taormina Things to Do

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Etna (3,343m/11,032ft) lies in the east of the island of Sicily, close to the coast and northwest of Catania.

It is Europe's largest active volcano and the second highest mountain in Italy after the Alpine peaks. It's almost circular base is 40km/25mi in diameter and 165km/102mi in circumference.

There are more than 100 known eroptions of Etna, the most recent one was in 1992.
The Etna area has been designated as a National Park.

There are day tours available to Mount Etna.

The scenic Circumetnea Railroad circles Mount Etna and stops at several villages.

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The Ancient theatre is the most remarkable monument in Taormina.

This Greek theatre is one of the most celebrated ruins in Sicily, on account both of its remarkable preservation and its beautiful location.

It is built for the most part of brick with a diameter of 109 metres. This theatre is the second largest of its kind in Sicily (after that of Syracuse).

It is frequently used for operatic and theatrical performances and for concerts. Even the greater part of the original seats have disappeared, the wall is preserved.

From the fragments of architectural decorations still extant you can learn that it was of the Corinthian order. Some portions of a temple are also visible.

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Corso Umberto (named after Italian King) is the main street of Taormina, the real heart of this small town. It is relatively short but vivid and very pitoresque street ful of small shops, art galleries and cafe-bars. It starts at Piazza Badia and ends at Piazza IX Aprile. Corso Umberto is the only wide street in the city core of Taormina

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There excist controversy regarding Greek Theatre of Taormina. It is undoubtelly of Greek origins, its plan and arrangements are in accordance with those of typical Greek theatre constructions. However, the theatre was built for the most parts of brick and it indicates its Roman origins. The Greek theatres were built excusevely from the stone......

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Palazzo Corvaia is medieval construction dating from the 10th century, originally was built by the Arabs. The Arabs have conquered town in 902 and this palace was among first built during their rule. The palace was subsequently added to over various periods up intil the 15th century but it main body remained an Arabic styled tower. The same Arabic style could be seen in its inner courtyard in particularly on arched windows and the doorway. The staircase and the ornamental balcony was added later on in the 13th century.
The palace takes its name from the Corvaja (or Corvaia) family, who were amongst Taormina's most important aristocrats and owned it from 1538 to 1945. In 1410 it was seat of the Sicilian Parliament.

What a nice way to reach the bottom and the beach!

The Cable Car runs from Taormina to Mazzaro, departing every 15mins, and taking just 2 minutes in transit, so you had better have your Camera out and ready to take the great view!
You arrive at the beach of Isola Bella and the diving school of Taormina.

The cable car of Taormina can be found in Via Luigi Pirandello, 3 minutes walk from Porta Messina.

TIME-TABLE......Mon. 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 a.m.
.....................Tue.-Sun. 8.00 a.m. - 1.00 a.m.

COST.......
ONE WAY... 1.80 EUROS......RETURN....3 EUROS

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Located in the city garden park at Taormina, there is a manned or Human Torpedo on display. It has an information board beside it which I presume was written in Italian. I wonder if anybody can translate from the photo.
This area of the park, near the Villa Comunale, is an area to remember the Dead and the wars, so I saw some Memorial's, and the Olive Tree row of Rememberance.

The Torpedo was very interesting. They were secret Naval weapons used in World War II. The photo showed that it would have been riden by two men in diving suits riding astride the Torpedo. They steered the torpedo at slow speed to the enemy ship where detachable warhead was then used as a limpet mine. They then rode the torpedo away, hoping not to be caught. They were used for attacking many ships in the Mediterranean that were in enemy harbours.

The Italian Maiale was an electrically propelled human torpedo, that carried two men. A normal Submarine would carry them to the target, and then launch them, this was usually during the night.
It was nicknamed by the Italian's "The Pig."

I would like to know the history of the one on display.

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These gardens were very nice, and they held some surprises too!

They are known as "typical Mediterranean" gardens, so I was interested in seeing what they were like.
Well, I thought they were lovely. Lots of neatly trimmed hedges and flower beds, topiary of animals and Bonsai Trees, cobblestones paths and plenty of seating, I thought it was just the area to sit in the shade on such a hot day!

There is the natural “Teatro di Verzura” [Greenery Theatre], and then if you walk to the ocean edge of the gardens, I had a marvellous view over the coastline.

open daily 9am to dusk
Entrance is Free