Taormina Sicily, part 1 of 2

Open me 1st & minimize if you want some Sicilian background music while you look at the photos: http://www.imeem.com/people/QkqzaEw/music/AflX8nZI/italian_street_singers_siciliani/

This photo journal, part 1 of 2 featuring the popular seaside resort of Taormina (tair-MEE-nah), spotlights the Ancient Greek Amphitheater, the most remarkable monument remaining in Taormina, as well as 3 important churches in town. Also included are a few photos of our hotel in the nearby beach resort of Giardini-Naxos & some panoramic views of ... (more)

The pastoral countryside enroute
from Piazza Armerina to Taormina. The many eruptions of Mt Etna have left an...

Caesar Palace Hotel - our hotel
was located in Giardini-Naxos (jar-DEE-nee NAX-osh), the beach resort 3 miles...

Our rooms each had a nice large deck
that faced the garden & pool. Many first-time visitors who stay right in...

The pool area
I like the vines crawling up the sides of the hotel ;o)

The large pool
I suspect this is a busy place during the hot summer months.

Pleasing public areas
with wonderful art works.

The colorful reception desk

Delightful stained glass windows

CHURCHES - San Pancrazio Church
This Baroque 16th century church is located outside the city walls,...

Santa Caterina Church,
dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandria Egypt, is located in the center of...

San Giuseppe (St Joseph) Church,
which was built during the 2nd half of the 17th century, is located in...

Distant view SW toward Naxos Bay
& Giardini-Naxos, where our hotel was located. These wonderful views are...

View north toward the town beach
in Mazzaro Bay, accessed by cable car from Taormina at the top of the hill.

ANCIENT GREEK AMPHITHEATER
This ancient theater is the most remarkable monument remaining in Taormina,...

Greek or Roman?
There is some debate about when the theater was actually erected &...

Partial view of the auditorium
The original theater, which was hewed out of the rocky slope of Mt Tauro, was...

Back of the damaged stage
in the foreground. The theater is divided into three main sections -...

Partial Corinthian columns
I'm not sure if they're made of marble or if it's Taormina stone,...

The theater was likely able to seat
about 5,400 spectators. Although the Greek theater plan would have had a...

Impromptu performance
by a visitor, which was a treat. Talk about luck! I suspect he was...

Magnificent panorama
through the damaged gap in the stage. I think that's the popular...

Marvelous vistas
From its lofty perch, Taormina’s most visited monument offers...

Expansive view of Taormina
Mt Etna is back there, somewhere in the smoke & mist. On the right...

Taormina Sicily, part 1 of 2

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