Ancient theatre of Taormina, Ancient Greek theatre in Taormina, Italy
The Ancient Theatre of Taormina is cut into the hillside, with a curved cavea of grey-brown stone seats divided into nine sections by eight stepped aisles. At its foot lies a flat orchestra of pale earth ringed by a low wall; behind it stand ruined brick and stone remains, including a tall brick-faced structure with two arched openings. The cavea measures about 109 metres across and rises roughly 20 metres.
The theatre was built in the third century BC by Greek settlers as part of the city's cultural infrastructure. During Roman rule, it was substantially altered to accommodate new types of performances, including gladiatorial contests and public spectacles.
The theatre today hosts the Taormina Film Festival and regularly features musical performances and cultural events that draw audiences from around the world. Visitors come to experience both contemporary shows and theatrical productions within this ancient setting.
The theatre sits on a hillside accessible via pathways from the main street, with the entrance requiring a short walk uphill. Expect uneven ground surfaces, steps throughout the seating area, and rocky terrain, so comfortable footwear and moderate fitness help make the visit easier.
The view of Etna and the Ionian Sea that visitors photograph from the cavea did not exist in antiquity: the source states it was blocked by the masonry stage buildings. The romantic fame of the ruin as a monument framed by vegetation and the volcano grew during the Grand Tour, and Goethe admired the panorama from the cavea in 1787.
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