Inhabited since prehistoric times, Sicily has been shaped, culturally and physically, by its many rulers: Phoenician, Greek, and Roman ruins mingle with stern Norman palaces and cathedrals, softened and embellished by Byzantine and Arab art (no complete Arab building remains the 500 mosques that existed under their rule were destroyed but they left. a permanent mark with their introduction of citrus fruits, today one of the symbols of Sicily). Also, Sicily offers some of Italy’s most splendid examples of baroque architecture. After the ravages of time, earthquakes, and World War II, most of these jewels were in bad need of repair. Luckily, a slow process of recuperation has started, bringing glory back to Sicilian architecture.

Among the many Sicilian destinations, Taormina a city that flourished during the Roman period and again from the 19th century on stands out for its fabulous position between the sea and Etna, the snow capped volcano, and for its great Teatro Greco Romano (Greek Roman Theater) one of the greatest of antiquity. Rivalling for importance with Athens during antiquity, Syracuse (Siracusa) was also important during the 17th and 18th centuries; the remains in its Parco Archeologico (archeological area) are grandiose and the baroque buildings. on the island of Ortigia very nice. Dominating the southern shore, Agrigento was another important Greek city, one of the most beautiful.of the ancient world.

lf you have the time you can spend a night in each of these destinations, travelling between them by bus or rental car.

Corso Umberto I

Taormina's central street, it stretches between the town's two main gates, the Porta Catania and the Porta Messina. In the middle Ages, the city shrank to the area between the Porta Catania and the Torre dell'Orologio (clock tower); also called the Porta di Mezzo (Middle Gate), the Torre dell'Orologio was built during the early middle ages as the gate to the medieval village. After its partial destruction, the clock tower was rebuilt in 1679 and is attached to the Church of San Giorgio with its 17th century baroque façade. During the Renaissance, the city started expanding again; it reoccupied the whole hourglass shaped area of the Greek city only in modern times. Along Corso Umberto I are some of Taormina's most interesting monuments, such as the Palazzo dei Duchi di Santo Stefano, the best preserved of the town's Norman buildings, and the Church of Sant'Agostino, a 16th century church opening on its nice square, Largo IX Aprile, above the sea. The church is closed to worship and used as the town library.

Duomo (Church of San Nicola)

Built in the 12th century in a Latin cross plan, this church was later remodelled and the central portal dates from 1633, while the lateral portals date from the 15th and 16th centuries, respectively. Inside, the nave is defined by gracious monolithic pink marble columns topped by capitals decorated with a fish scale pattern, to recall Sicily's maritime tradition. In front of the Duomo is the beautiful baroque Fontana Monumentale, built in 1635 with two legged female centaurs.

Giardini Pubblici (Public Gardens)

These gardens were built by Miss Florence Trevelyan, who arrived in 1882, fell in love with the town, and bought a piece of land sloping toward the sea. She worked at transforming the land into a garden, training and employing local workers as gardeners. Taorminians were fond of her, and when she died in 1902, they threw flowers at her passage in the funeral procession. Her will forbade her heirs from building or industrially cultivating the land. Within the gardens, she designed and built the Victorian Follies bizarre toy houses built with red bricks and light coloured stone containing inlaid archaeological materials.

Palazzo Corvaja

This palace was built between the 12th and 15th centuries around a preexisting Arab cubic tower probably part of the fortress – in several additions. During the 14th century, the crenellated structure and the entrance staircase were added to the tower. And in the 15th century, the right wing was built to serve as meeting place for the Sicilian Parliament.

Teatro Greco Romano (Greek Roman Theater)

With a capacity of 5,000 people, this theatre carved out of rock is second in Sicily only to Syracuse's in size and importance. It’s the best preserved of all Greek and Roman theatres in Italy. Unusual for a Greek theatre, the backdrop scene was a fixed structure. It represented a two storied house, part of which is still visible. As was the case for many building of antiquity, part of the theater's materials were taken to build other buildings, in this case by the Arabs and Normans. During its glory days, the walls of the theatre (only a portion in the back remains) were covered with marble and decorated with frescoes. Although the theatre was Greek in origin, the Romans modified it for gladiator battles. For example, a tunnel connected the cellar of the Roman arena with the outside; the orchestra of the theatre was enlarged and closed off by a high podium in order to protect spectators. The theatre is famous for the summer performances held there.

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