Page 544 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

542  SOUTHERN IT AL Y

Taormina’s magnificently situated Greek theatre, with Mount Etna in the distance
e Tindari Norman architecture, with rich t Taormina
decoration. To visit the church,
Messina. n Tel 0941 24 11 36. V Messina. * 10,000. V @
Patti or Oliveri, then bus. Open 9am– ask at the tourist office. n Palazzo Corvaja, Piazza Santa
6:30pm daily (to 4pm in winter). 7 & Outside, GA Montorsoli’s Caterina (0942 232 43). ( Wed.
Fontana d’Orione (1547) is the
Poised on the edge of a cliff finest fountain of its kind from Splendidly situated, Taormina
overlooking the Golfo di Patti 16th-century Sicily. His Fontana is Sicily’s best-known resort.
are the ruins of Tyndaris, one di Nettuno (1557) celebrates It retains an air of exclusivity
of the last Greek cities to have Messina’s foundation and while being on the tourist trail,
been founded in Sicily (395 BC). position in the world as a with sandy beaches and a wide
Apart from the city walls, the principal commercial port. range of restaurants and hotels.
ruins are mostly Roman, The most illustrious relic of
including the basilica and E Museo Regionale the past is the theatre. Begun in
theatre. An antiquarium Via Libertà 465. Tel 090 36 12 92. Open the 3rd century BC by the Greeks,
houses artifacts from the site. 9am–7pm Tue–Sat, 9am–1pm Sun (last it was subsequently rebuilt by the
A combined ticket allows entry adm: 30 mins before closing). & 7 Romans. Among other Classical
at the massive 2nd-century remains are the ruins of the
Villa Romana in Patti Marina. odeon (for musical performances)
Tindari is also known for and the naumachia (an artificial
its shrine to a Byzantine icon, lake for mock-battles). On Piazza
the Black Madonna on Vittorio Emanuele (site of the
Piazzale Belvedere. Roman Forum), Palazzo Corvaia
(14th century) was built using
stone from a temple that once
r Messina stood here. The 13th-century
Duomo (renovated in 1636) is
* 250,000. V @ g n Piazza
Cairoli 45 (090 293 52 92). ( daily. a fortress-like building.
∑ www.comune.messina.it
Environs
Messina has been the victim of Taormina’s main beach,
earthquakes and World War II Mazzarò, boasts clear waters
bombing. The Museo Regionale and is easily reached from the
houses treasures that include town. South of Taor mina at
works by Antonello da Messina Capo Schisò are the ruins of
and Caravaggio. Santissima ancient Naxos. To the west is
Annunziata dei Catalani in Gole dell’Alcantara, a 20 m-
Piazza Catalani displays the Antonello da Messina’s Madonna and Child (66 ft-) deep gorge of ba salt
eclecticism of 12th-century (1473), Museo Regionale rock, a river and waterfalls.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp576–7 and pp600–605

542-543_EW_Italy.indd 542 4/5/17 9:31 AM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2)
Date 14th November 2012
Size 125mm x 217mm