When you visit it, there are two details that you should consider: you’re in one of the most beautiful places of Sicily, and its stones have been there since centuries and centuries. Moreover, to be precise, the Greek theatre of Taormina has an ancient history. Which makes this place even more fascinating.
- The Hellenistic origin. Probably, the origin of the Greek theatre is Hellenistic and dates back to the Third century BC: one proof of this are, for example, some Greek inscriptions on the limestone seats, carved into the hillside. Moreover, maybe the original structure was a small shrine located on the belvedere above the auditorium.
- The Roman period. Although the origin is Greek, the theatre structure is typically Roman. A first reconstruction of the building took place in the late Republican era or during the early Empire. In the first half of the Second century A.D., the theatre was as we can see today: 109 meters long diameter, ten thousand seats. During the Roman Empire, the theatre became a real amphitheatre.
- The Middle Ages. The decadence of the theatre began in the Middle Ages, when several sections of the building were used to build a private palace. Then, it became a romantic and decadent place, and one of the most famous stages of the Grand Tour (a trip of Europe undertaken by mainly upper-class European young men of means in the Seventeenth century to Nineteenth century).
The “second linfe” of the Greek theatre began in the Fifties. It has become, in fact, a charming location for several shows, concerts and theatrical performances. And it can be visited throughout the year.
Image source: Flickr.com/photos/jaroslavd
