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Thursday, April 12. The hotel's breakfast buffet was very good. At 9:15 Oliviero took us on a walking tour of old Taormina. We started right by the hotel at the Porta Catania, once the south entrance to the Taormina. San Nicolo Cathedral (begun 13th century) was only half a block further on. It was very small for a cathedral, but faced a lovely square with a large fountain.  Nearby was the Palazzo Ciampio, an exact replica of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.

Our group at the Catania Gate

The Duomo - San Nicolo

Palazzo Ciampio

Continuing down Corso Umberto, an altogether charming little street, we came to Piazza IX Aprile, the largest open area in the old town, but still not very big. It apparently was the only space where children could play, and they were out in force with their scooters and soccer balls. (What appears to be a church on this square is really the library.) We stopped briefly at the S. Caterina church, then went across the street to the Palazzo Corvaja, which housed the first Sicilian parliament (1411) but is now a museum. The structure originally was an Arab tower, with additions made by the Normans. Just across was the Piazza Vittorio Emmanuele, now one big taxi stand, but shaded by an unusual canopy of very flat trees.

Piazza IX Aprile

Palazzo Corvaja

Piazza Vittorio Emmanuele

We continued along the narow street to Porta Messina at the north end of the old town. Once through the gate, we were in a broad, open square.  At this point Oliviero led us back through the gate into the old town because we were scheduled to tour the Greek theater. 

Approaching Messina Gate

Puppets for sale

Middle Gate

Although built by the Greeks (3rd century B.C.), the theater was largely rebuilt by the Romans. The original Greek theater had no wall behind the stage, and there was a spectacular view of Mount Etna and the seacoast. The Romans preferred a closed theater, and they built a wall behind the stage that blocked the view. 

Plants at Theater

Roman Theater (sketch)

Theater stage

Theater stage

Jane in Theater

Street to theater

On leaving the theater, we were turned loose and enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the old town and back to the hotel. We had a big lunch there at 1:00. Afterwards, Jane rested while Darrell decided to see if he could climb Mount Tauro to the large white cross we had seen up there. 

Artists' shops

Planters in the shape  of Moorish heads

Cross on Mount Tauro

When he got near the top, he saw that the cross was at the church of Madonna Rocca, but that there was an old Saracen castle just above that. He climbed to the castle gate, but it was locked. The view was tremendous, but he saw that Castelmola was quite a bit higher on a separate peak. He resolved that he would climb that one, too, but not today. 

Saracen castle

Theater from Mt. Tauro

Castelmola from Mt. Tauro

He got back to the hotel at 4:30 and read until the folklore lecture at 6:30. Afterwards, we headed for La Buca restaurant for the first "dine around" dinner of the tour. Unfortunately, it was closed. We ate at La Piazzetta instead, where most of our group was dining anyway. We enjoyed the chance to see the old town at night on our stroll back to the hotel.

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