Teatro Antico di Taormina (Ancient Theatre of Taormina), Taormina (must see)
The Ancient Theatre of Taormina is excellently placed, high above the Ionian shore, with brilliant views of the sea and the towering Volcano Etna.
Etna was the workshop of crippled Haphaistos, blacksmith to Zeus, and married to Aphrodite, Goddess of love. Aphrodite was forced to marry Hera, wife of Zeus, as punishment for her ill-considered dalliance with Zeus. So, Aphrodite set up a house with Haphaistos on the volcano but she was always unfaithful. Zeus denied everything.
Scenes like this were often on the program at the ancient amphitheater, built by Greeks in the reign of Hiero II of Syracuse. Over 100,000 cubic meters of rock were moved manually from the mountain to build the theatre. It was later improved by the Romans with statues and columns. They replaced drama with games and gladiators.
The scene where actors performed remains without the 25 columns and ornaments of yore. The orchestra was an area used by actors and musicians, ultimately replaced by gladiators. The cavea, seating carved into the rock, could hold up to 5,400 spectators. The audience part was in nine sections with porticos.
The Taormina Theatre is the second-largest theater in Sicily. Since the 1950s, it has hosted plays, concerts, operas, and ballets. The theatre is located on Teatro Greco Street. There is a modest admission fee.
Etna was the workshop of crippled Haphaistos, blacksmith to Zeus, and married to Aphrodite, Goddess of love. Aphrodite was forced to marry Hera, wife of Zeus, as punishment for her ill-considered dalliance with Zeus. So, Aphrodite set up a house with Haphaistos on the volcano but she was always unfaithful. Zeus denied everything.
Scenes like this were often on the program at the ancient amphitheater, built by Greeks in the reign of Hiero II of Syracuse. Over 100,000 cubic meters of rock were moved manually from the mountain to build the theatre. It was later improved by the Romans with statues and columns. They replaced drama with games and gladiators.
The scene where actors performed remains without the 25 columns and ornaments of yore. The orchestra was an area used by actors and musicians, ultimately replaced by gladiators. The cavea, seating carved into the rock, could hold up to 5,400 spectators. The audience part was in nine sections with porticos.
The Taormina Theatre is the second-largest theater in Sicily. Since the 1950s, it has hosted plays, concerts, operas, and ballets. The theatre is located on Teatro Greco Street. There is a modest admission fee.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Taormina. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Teatro Antico di Taormina (Ancient Theatre of Taormina) on Map
Sight Name: Teatro Antico di Taormina (Ancient Theatre of Taormina)
Sight Location: Taormina, Italy (See walking tours in Taormina)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Taormina, Italy (See walking tours in Taormina)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Taormina, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Taormina
Creating your own self-guided walk in Taormina is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Taormina Introduction Walking Tour
Dionysius I, also known as Tyrant of Syracuse, permitted his army commander Andromachus to make a settlement in Taurmenium at the foot of Mount Etna in 396 BC. From its very beginning, Taormina has been the most desirable conquest of the great powers of the Mediterranean.
Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Byzantines, Normans, Swabians, French, Spanish, and Arogonese have all taken turns cross-pollinating... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Byzantines, Normans, Swabians, French, Spanish, and Arogonese have all taken turns cross-pollinating... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles