Ancient theatre of Taormina

Few ancient theatres can match the view from the upper seats of the Ancient theatre of Taormina, the Teatro Antico, where the stage frames the Ionian coast and the smoking cone of Mount Etna beyond. Goethe, who came here in 1787, described it as one of the great sights of the world, and it draws close to 900,000 visitors a year.

The theatre was founded by the Greeks, probably in the third century BC, and was largely rebuilt by the Romans, so most of what survives is Roman brickwork. The seating is cut into the hillside, and the ruined stage building still stands with its brick walls and fragments of columns. The theatre is one of the largest of its kind in Sicily, second only to the one at Syracuse.

An hour or so is enough to walk the tiers and take in the setting. The site suits anyone interested in classical archaeology, and it rewards those who come mainly for the landscape. It is still used as a venue for performances.