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TaorminaColumbia Encyclopedia entry: Taormina
Taorminatäōrmē'nä, town (1991 pop. 10,120), E Sicily, Italy, overlooking the Ionian Sea and at the foot of Mt. Etna. It commands a magificent view and is a world-famous winter resort celebrated for its pleasant climate, natural beauties, and ancient ruins. Known in the 8th cent. B.C. and refounded by Carthaginians in the 4th cent. B.C., Taormina later flourished under the Greeks and then under the Romans. It was taken by the Arabs (early 10th cent.), fell to the Normans (late 11th cent.), and declined after the 15th cent. Of note are the foundations of several Greek temples and a Greek amphitheater (357 ft/109 m in diameter), rebuilt by the Romans, which is the second largest in Sicily. Nearby are ruins of a Roman theater, baths, and reservoirs. Among the many fine Arabic palaces, the Palazzo Corvala (14th cent.) is especially notable. The Convent of San Domenico, with its cloister, is now a fashionable hotel.
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Wikipedia search results for: Taormina
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Taormina is a comune and small town on the east coast of the island of Sicily, Italy, in the Province of Messina, about midway between Messina and Catania. Taormina has been a very popular tourist destination since the 19th century. It has popular beaches on the Ionian sea, which is remarkably warm and has a high salt content. Taormina can be reached via highways from Messina from the north and Catania from the south.
Taormina's area was inhabited by the Siculi even before the Greeks arrived on the Sicilian coast in 832 BC to found a town called Naxos. The theory that Tauromenion was founded by colonists from Naxos is confirmed by...more »
Columbia Encyclopedia search results: Taormina
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- Timaeus, Greek historian
Timaeus, c.356–c.260 B.C., Greek historian of Tauromenium (now Taormina), Sicily. Son of the tyrant of the city, he was banished by Agathocles either in 317 or 312 B.C. and lived for 50 years ...
- Leo VI, Byzantine emperor
Leo VI (Leo the Wise or Leo the Philosopher), 862?–912, Byzantine emperor (886–912), son and successor of Basil I. He added to the work of his father by the publication (887–93) of the Basilic...
- Hiero II
Hiero II, d. c.215 B.C., Greek Sicilian ruler, tyrant of Syracuse (c.270–c.215 B.C.). He showed such ability and distinction after Pyrrhus left Sicily (275 B.C.) that he was made commander in ...
