Roman Odeum of Taormina, Roman entertainment venue in Taormina, Italy
The Roman Odeum of Taormina is a small ancient theater with three main sections: a stage area, an orchestra space, and a five-section seating area for audiences. The remains allow visitors to see how the different parts of the structure once functioned together.
This theater was built around 21 BC when Taormina was established as a military colony under Emperor Augustus. It dates to the early Roman period when the city was being developed as a strategic settlement.
This small theater hosted musical performances and readings for the city's wealthier residents, creating a gathering place for refined entertainment. Its intimate size and limited seating reveal it was designed for a select audience rather than the general public.
The site sits behind St Catherine's Church near Palazzo Corvaja and is straightforward to locate. The space is rarely crowded, making it comfortable to walk around and examine the ancient stones.
A local blacksmith named Antonio Bambara stumbled upon the theater on June 5, 1892, while digging on his property. This accidental discovery revealed a piece of Roman history that had been hidden for centuries.
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