Taormina Ancient Theatre

The Greek Theatre of Taormina: a spectacle within a spectacle

Taormina, pearl of the Ionian Sea, is one of the birthplaces of modern elite tourism. Here nature, art and history meet: the beauty of the landscape combines with the memory of all the cultures of the Mediterranean. The ancient theatre has been a must-see for generations of visitors from all over the world: from its seats one can admire the Bay of Naxos to the south and the Strait of Messina with the Calabrian coast to the north. Immersed in this spectacular natural setting, the huge complex with its cavea cut into the rock is in perfect harmony with the environment, and seems to have always been part of it.

Five centuries of history

Not always - but certainly for a long time: the theatre was built in the 3rd century BC at the behest of Philistides, wife of the tyrant Hieron II. It was extensively renovated in Roman times with clay bricks and lime, and decorated with splendid columns of white marble and grey granite. It is a work of incredible beauty. Over the centuries, the theatre changed purpose several times: from a stage for classical plays to an amphitheatre where gladiators and ferocious animals fought. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it was abandoned until the Middle Ages, when the stage building was converted into residences. From the 17th century onwards, it was a must stop for every traveller with a passion for history and culture, and in the second half of the 18th century it returned to prominence, its romantic revival linked to the Grand Tour.

A theatre capable of accommodating 10,000 spectators

The structure is divided into three parts: the stage, the orchestra and the cavea. Two large side rooms enclose the stage and the stalls. Consisting of tiers of seats, the cavea has a diameter of more than 100 metres, is divided by eight stairways into nine sectors, and it is estimated that in ancient times it could hold at least 10,000 spectators (today the capacity is 4,500). In the Theatre, there are some fragments of painted plaster from the 3rd-2nd century BC from a building identified as a Gymnasium, and Greek inscriptions of a public character - such as the tables of the Strategists and Gymnasiarchs - dated between the 2nd and 1st century BC are visible. From the Roman period are the remains of a calendar and lists of consuls in office, found near the baths, and a beautiful small sarcophagus, found in the area of the via Pirandello necropolis and dating from around the 2nd century AD.

The Antiquarium and the Naumachia

Close to the theatre is the Antiquarium, a small archaeological museum housing valuable archaeological finds such as a statue dedicated to Caius Claudius Marcellus and a small oval marble sarcophagus carved in high relief.

The so-called Naumachia (naval battle) is a large monumental fountain built in Roman times, consisting of a red brick wall more than one hundred metres long and five metres high, enriched with niches of various sizes.

The largest Ancient Theatre in Sicily after that of Syracuse

Today, the Ancient Theatre of Taormina retains its original Greek structure, as well as much of the brick building from the Roman era. The stage front substantially retains its original form, also thanks to a (highly controversial) 19th-century restoration. Its charm, size and international renown make it the ideal stage for hosting concerts, plays and operas, as well as prestigious events such as Taormina Arte, the Taormina Film Fest and the David di Donatello award ceremony.