THE MEDITERRANEAN DREAM OF AN ENGLISH NOBLEWOMAN
One of the incredibly beautiful things to see in the Naxos Archaeological Park is an island that represents a unique environmental and scenic treasure. A place where tourists and travellers flock to admire lush exotic flora, harmoniously blended into the rugged nature of the Sicilian coastline.
Notices(4)
- ENTRANCE TICKETS PRICES
We inform you that in application of the D.A. n. 139/GAB of 12/22/2023 from 1 January 2024 new entrances to museums, galleries, archaeological areas, parks, gardens and regional monumental sites in the Sicilian Region will be in force. All purchases made by December 31, 2023 will remain valid.
- FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH
On the first Sunday of the month admission to sites in Eastern Sicily is free of charge and tickets will only be issued on site, at the ticket offices. Tickets can only be used on the date/time chosen at the time of purchase.
- Pay Attention!
In case of bad weather the Museo Regionale di Isolabella may be closed to the public. Please check any notices published on the site.
- FREE TICKETS
Free admission tickets can only be purchased on site.
Services(4)
- Disabled access
- Official ticket office
- Price Reduction
- Skip-the-line Entrance
Reductions(2)
For REDUCED and FREE tickets, proof of the right to use these tickets will have to be shown. Where the visitor fails to produce such documentation at the ticket office, a FULL-PRICE ticket will have to be purchased.
Reduced
2types- •EU citizens aged between 18 and 25 (the age limit is considered exceeded from the day following the completion of the 25th year of age).
- •Members of FAI
free
17types- •Visitors under the age of eighteen. Under-twelves must be accompanied by an adult
- •Disabled persons and one family member or companion who can show their membership to health and care services.
- •European Union tourist guides in the exercise of their professional activity, presenting a valid licence issued by the competent authority
- •Tour interpreters from the European Union working alongside the guide, upon presentation of a valid licence issued by the competent authority
- •Members of I.C.O.M. (International Council of Museums)
- •Students on advanced training courses at the Ministry's Schools (Central Institute for Restoration. Opificio delle Pietre Dure. Mosaic Restoration School) and courses at the Regional Centre for Planning and Restoration
- •Journalists who have regularly paid their membership fees, and who present suitable documents proving their professional activity (DDG n.1109 of 7/09/2019 DG-Musei).
- •Operators of volunteer associations working at the premises through agreements with the Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity
- •Permanent staff of the Sicilian Regional Department for Cultural Heritage and Identity
- •Honorary Inspectors of Cultural Heritage in Sicily
- •Members of the military of the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit
- •Members of the I.C.C.R.O.M. (International Centre for the Study of the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage)
- •Italian and foreign scholars for study or research purposes certified by Italian or foreign school or university institutions, academies, research and culture institutes as well as by the Ministry, for particular and justified needs, the Directors can allow individual subjects who request it free admission for specific periods.
- •Lecturers and students on degree courses, specialist degree courses or post-graduate specialisation and PhD courses in the following faculties: architecture, conservation of cultural heritage, education sciences or literature and philosophy with an archaeological or historical-artistic focus. The same benefits are due to teachers and students of corresponding universities or courses, present in the European Union States.
- •Teachers and students enrolled in Fine Arts Academies or corresponding institutes of the European Union, by showing their enrolment certificate for the current academic year
- •To the Honorary Inspectors and Conservators of the Ministry
- •Groups of students from public and private schools in the European Union accompanied by their teachers, subject to prior booking and within the quota established by venue management
Duration
2 hours
Description
Isolabella: an extraordinary natural landscape
Isolabella lies at the centre of a beautiful inlet between Capo Sant'Andrea and Capo Taormina, sunk into a landscape that owes its beauty not only to the crystal-clear sea and the conformation of the land, but also to a vegetation of extraordinary variety and riches
The Lady of the Gardens
The history of the island revolves around a woman: Florence Trevelyan, born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a descendant of Sir John Trevelyan, Baronet of Nettlecombe. In 1890 Florence bought the Scoglio di Santo Stefano (previously owned by the mayor of Taormina, Pancrazio Ciprioti), and settled there without ever returning to England. It was she herself who gave the place its current name, Isolabella.
A naturalist and lover of plants and flowers, she created an English-style garden on her property, harmoniously adding new varieties to the lush Mediterranean scrub. In doing so, she not only enhanced the biodiversity of the place, she redefined its vocation and destiny forever. Subsequent changes of ownership were in fact all about care for the landscape and the environment.
A site of historical, cultural and naturalistic interest
In 1984 Isolabella was listed as a site of historical, cultural and naturalistic interest. In 1992 it was acquired by the Sicilian Region, which in 1998 established the Isolabella Nature Reserve to protect the flora and fauna of the bay. In 2010, it became part of the newly established Archaeological Park of Naxos and Taormina, which also includes the Ancient Theatre of Taormina and the Museum of Giardini Naxos and Francavilla.
The botanical garden of Villa Caronia
Also part of the Isolabella Nature Reserve is the Villa Caronia complex: a red building surrounded by more than a hectare and a half of garden that blends harmoniously into Capo Taormina below. The south-southeast slope has a rugged profile with dense Mediterranean scrub vegetation, while the north-northeast part contains terraces connected by paths and steps supported by stone walls. Due to the great variety and value of the plant species concerned, the park is registered and publicised as a botanical garden.
Forecast
- Thu, 26 Jun22.6°/30.8°
- Fri, 27 Jun21.8°/32.2°
- Sat, 28 Jun21.3°/30.7°
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