Taormina, Sicily

On our final full day in Sicily, we headed down to the picturesque village of Taormina. Thankfully, our friends Ben and Nadine gave us the heads up to park in a nearby multi-story car park and take the free bus into the village center. I cannot even imagine trying to maneuver our cars through the little village gate below and into the throngs of villagers and vacationers.

The gate to Taormina

The village had a few high-end shops (Gucci was one I recognized), but its main claim to fame, aside from their outstanding gelato and granita, is the Greek amphitheater overlooking the mediterranean. It is said that the current amphitheater was re-built in the 2nd century by the Romans in the Greek style to emulate the ruined Greek amphitheater that had been situated on this rocky outcropping of land. 

Greek amphitheater in Taormina

Therefore, it is still called the Greek amphitheater, even though what we looked at was technically a Greek-style, Roman amphitheater. When re-building, the Romans didn't include the lower seating from the original Greek amphitheater (where the bleachers are located in the above photo) to make it easier to showcase gladiator and animal fights. Ugh! 

Amphitheater

Amphitheater with views of the Mediterranean Sea

As you can see in several of the photos, the theater is still used for plays and concerts. In fact, we paid half-price entry because the contemporary seating and lights were in place for a concert that was to be held there later that day.  I didn't mind, because the added stairs made it a bit more accessible for me and my gimpy leg to climb halfway up the theater. Bill went all the way to the top to take some photos from up high. 

Amphitheater being prepped for a concert

One last shot of the Greek amphitheater

Not only could you see the mediterranean sea far below the amphitheater, you could also see Mount Etna, smoking away in the distance. 

Mount Etna looms over Toarmina

I wish we had had time and knew how to get up to the Saracen castle. But truth be told, it was BLAZING hot that  day in Sicily and my leg was really started to protest. Although I loved seeing the sites in Taormina, I could not wait to get back to our vacation house so I could soak my leg in the cool water in our pool. 

A Saracen castle/citadel high on the Sicilian cliff

It was a short 2-1/2 hour visit in Tarmina, but long enough to walk the main street, see the ancient sites, have lunch (and a gelato/granita or two), before heading back to our holiday home. 

That night, Ben and Nadine came over with a feast of locally sourced and produced veg, porcini mushrooms, cheese, wine, sausage - the works - and we all pitched in to make a delicious, al-fresco dinner. We finally had to break up the party after midnight, as we had a plane to catch the next morning. 

Our time in Sicily was short, but oh, so lovely! (Save the whole breaking-my-leg part!)

Tiny streets of Taormina