Today’s post is 1300 words, 47 photos, a 6 minute read. Enjoy!

Hi everyone,

This week is the second in the series coming from Sicily. I’ll take you to three churches (it was drizzling), the famous Ancient Greek Theatre, and talk about the great food we devoured in Taormina. If you missed last week’s post, click here.

After a good nights rest, a hot shower, my Traveling Partner and I were off to breakfast at the hotel. The first thing we noticed was the great view of Mount Etna. We chose a table for two by the window so we could enjoy the scene while enjoying our breakfast. I have to say that the breakfast buffet offered by the Hotel Continental is by far the best I’ve ever experienced. The friendly attendants quickly brought a pot of fresh coffee and invited us to the buffet that was laden with fresh fruit, pastries, eggs, sausage, bacon, cheese, cold cuts, and even a dessert or two just in case you weren’t full. It was like that every morning of our stay.

A Walking Tour of Taormina

After breakfast, Rosa, our Road Scholar group leader, led us on a walking tour of Taormina. We walked down those 104 steps to Corso Umberto, the main pedestrian street in Taormina. On the way down, she showed us the walls of an old convent that is now part of the hotel.

Rosa walked us through one of the old gates and thick stone walls that in ancient times served as a defense against marauders attacking the town.

We went past the closest grocery store in the event we needed any supplies for our stay. On the way, we passed by a mobile fruit and vegetable vendor with beautiful, fresh produce, some that is grown in Sicily and some imported from northern Africa.

At the bottom of the steps, Rosa stopped at the fountain that decorated the piazza in front of the Duomo of Taormina. Last week I introduced you to the exterior of the Duomo or Cathedral.

The Fountain of the Doumo was built in 1635 in the Baroque style. Mythical seahorses overlook the basins and spew water out of their mouths. The fountain is topped by a minotaur, half human and half bull. The human in this case is the female version holding an orb and scepter, both symbols of power. This is the emblem of the city of Taormina as depicted in more colorful terms in the third photo.

Into the Duomo

Ironically, as we were standing at the fountain, a light drizzle began. This quickly moved the group inside the Duomo. We admired the main alter with the shadow of Jesus on the Cross projected on the dome. I thought it was a little spooky, maybe it was meant to be that way. The roof of the central nave is wooden that was affected by the Allied bombings of the Port of Catania in 1943. The Doumo underwent restoration after the war ended in 1945. Rosa told us about the history of the church, pointed out the many architectural features, and famous artworks.

Corso Umberto

There was a light drizzle falling as we proceeded down the main street, Corso Umberto. We stopped in front of the City Hall of Taormina. Rosa told us that Taormina was the site of the 43rd G7 Summit in May 2017. It was the first G7 attended by former President Trump. According to Rosa, it was quite a spectacle, security was tight, making it difficult for residents to carry out their normal routines. There were even U.S. Navy ships and submarines stationed in the harbor. Rosa served as an interpreter during the event.  

We passed by this car advertising Zagara di Taormina, a popular fragrance sold in a nearby shop.

One of the many shops sold souvenirs like this one, a Trinacria (triangle) the symbol of Sicily. Note the three legs with the head of Medusa with snakes for hair. 

Church #2

It was still drizzling when we reached the Church of St. Joseph overlooking the Piazza IX Aprile. I presented a photo of the exterior of St. Joesph’s last week, here’s a reminder what looked like. This church was built in the late 1600s into the early 1700s. 

Before we climbed the dual staircase and entered the church, Rosa pointed out the skull and crossbones that were tied with a ribbon. This is to remind passersby of the inevitability of death, while encouraging everyone to reflect on their own mortality. Since many people during the time of building of the church were illiterate, there were symbols, paintings, frescoes, and other artwork to show the way to salvation.

Inside the church had a beautiful main altar, two side altars – one dedicated to St. Joseph – and a very nice simple fresco in the dome.

Next door to St. Joseph’s is this building. Salesiani Don Bosco is a religious order commonly known as the Society of St. Francis de Sales. It was founded in 1859 by an Italian priest, John Bosco, to work with the poor and migrant youth affected by the ill effects of the industrial revolution. Currently, this order of religious men works in over 130 countries in the world including Taormina.  

Church #3

At the far end of Corso Umberto is the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria. It was built in the 1600s in the Baroque style on the ruins of a Greek temple. It was renovated beginning in the 1970s and remained closed for 40 years. That’s a long time, whether it would reopen was in doubt, but it did. The inside is simple but quite nicely done, see the photos below. The patron, St. Catherine of Alexandria, was imprisoned and tortured before being beheaded in 305 AD by Emperor Maxentius. Apparently, if I recall correctly, people with headaches pray to St. Catherine for relief. Hmmm, maybe, maybe not.

The Ancient Theatre of Taormina

The drizzle finally stopped as we made our way to the Ancient Theatre of Taormina, the most important sight in the city. The construction of the theatre was begun in the third century BC. Lots of rock had to be moved to build the theatre, likely by slaves. Under the Greeks, dramatic and musical performances were held.

The theatre was later renovated by the Romans who expanded the arena to allow for games and battles by gladiators. In this configuration, the theater could accommodate about 10,000 spectators. It is the second largest ancient theater in Sicily after the one in nearby Siracusa.

The theatre is still in use today. Music events such as symphonies, operas, ballets, theatre, music concerts, and even Greek plays are performed here.

Views from the top of the theatre were spectacular. The top photo is overlooking Taormina towards Mount Etna. The second photo looks south toward Catania. The third photo looks north toward Messina, the city closest to the toe of mainland Italy.

Here’s another look at Mount Tauro, the steep mountain that overlooks Taormina. I’m guessing the views of the city, the sea, and Mount Etna from the top are panoramic. The ruins of the Saracen Castle built by the Arabs in the 11 and 12 century are now inaccessible. In it’s time, it dominated and protected the area from attackers.

This photo was taken with my telephoto lens extended to the max. These terraces produce some of the olives, lemons, oranges, and wines favored by the locals.

Cusine

After the visiting theatre, we had a delicious lunch followed by a walk back to the hotel for an afternoon siesta. That evening, we dined at Liola Osteria and Bar at the far end of the Corso Umberto. It was an excellent meal with lemon risotto, sea bass, roasted potatoes, dessert, and plenty of wine. A great way to top off the day.

On our walk back to the hotel, I stopped for a night photo of the Fountain of the Duomo.

Join me next week for more of Sicily.

Until then, happy travels!

Tom

PS: Click here for a link to the post about my book “Farm Boy.” Contact me if you are interested in purchasing a copy. Thanks to all have plunked down your hard earned dollars and read the book. TM