The
Greeks left their mark with an impressive theatre which was used for
dramatic or musical performances. This became an amphitheatre for
gladiatorial contests under the Romans. Set above the town, this has
spectacular views across Taormina to Mount Etna
The semi circular structure dates from the C3rd BC and over 100,000
cubic meters of rock had to be removed when building it. The brickwork
is Roman dating from when the theatre was rebuilt as an amphitheatre in
the C2nd AD. It was divided into the Scena, Orchestra, Cavea and
Portico.
An archway leads into the scena.
The scena was the stage where the actors performed. It had three large
arched opening, six niches and two rows of pillars. During the
Middle Ages, most of the columns were removed and used for building the
cathedral and palazzios.
The Orchestra was the area for the musicians but the chorus and dancers
may also perform there. This area was enlarged by the Romans and some of
the lower rows of seats were removed. A deep trench was dug to house
the animals
The cavea or auditorium could house up to 5.400 spectators with stone seats, reached by rows of steps.
Running round the top of the cavea are two brick porticos. In Roman times, these supported a terrace with additional seating.
There is the remains of a small Roman Odeon used for musical performances which is ticked away behind St Catherine’s Church. Unlike the Greek Theatre, this gets few visitors.
The remains of the stage area can be seen exposed in the nave floor in the church.
The Naumachie is a long wall running below Corso Umberto which dates
from Roman times and is thought to be the supporting wall for a huge
cistern that was part of a gymnasium. This runs alongside a narrow
passageway with a small garden in front of it. This agin is quiet with
few visitors.
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