Taormina: Greek, medieval, baroque and alive today!

Our “Capodanno” (New Year’s) visit to Sicily included a visit to Taormina. Originally a Greek outpost, and then a Roman possession, Taormina hangs on a mountainside with breathtaking views of the rugged Mediterranean coastline and the sight of the snow-capped Mt. Etna in the distance.

Walking through this tourist destination in the “off season” gave us an opportunity to enjoy the town’s medieval character and baroque embellishments. Taormina first became a resort in the 18th century because word of the town’s beauty was spread by three German artists. J.W. Goethe wrote in his 1787 novel “Italian Journey” that Taormina was a “patch of paradise.” Otto Geleng (1843-1939) sparked interest in this Sicilian destination with landscape paintings he exhibited in Paris art galleries. The Prussian photographer Wilhelm von Gloeden settled in Sicily in 1880 and made Taormina famous among the European cultural clubs with his artistic portraits of nude shepherd boys.

The ancient Greek theater

In front of the 13th century cathedral of St. Nicholas