Greek theater and Mount Etna, a photo from Messina, Sicily

Photographer's Note

The theater of Taormina was built in pure Greek style taking advantage of the cuneiform geography of the hill. There are even steps of the stairs polished directly on the rock. The view from the stands allows a panoramic view of the bay of Naxos and Etna in the background.

Although the origin of the theater is Hellenistic, as evidenced by some inscriptions engraved on the stone reminding Hieron II, its current appearance corresponds to the modifications and extensions made in Roman imperial times, especially what has to do with the structure of the scene. The cavea or steps of the theater of Taormina have a diameter of 109 m. built in brick, they are divided into 9 cuneos (wedges), like the Greek theater of Syracuse.

The semicircular orchestra is slightly lower than the stage with two lateral exits for the choir, on these the stage was set with two floors, with three outputs for actors in the first and decorated with colonnades and an upper porch. The walls of the fund conserve niches whose decoration consisted of sculptures, as well as marble columns.

Behind the scenes, the racks can be seen from where the actors entered the scene. It is known that in later transformations in Roman age it was reconverted into an amphitheater, arena for the organization of gladiatorial shows since the structures of the protection wall of the stands are still there for the safety of the assistants, as well as the elimination of the unevenness between the orchestra and the stage.

During the decade of the 90 the theater was restored and in actuality they offer summer concerts of classical music, festivals and classical theater performances that demonstrate the spectacular acoustics.

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El teatro de Taormina se construyó al puro estilo griego aprovechando la geografía cuneiforme de la colina. Incluso hay peldaños de las escalinatas pulidos directamente sobre la roca. La vista desde las gradas permite una panorámica hacia la bahía de Naxos y el Etna al fondo.

A pesar de que el origen del teatro es helenístico, pues así lo demuestran algunas inscripciones grabadas en la piedra recordando a Hierón II, su apariencia actual se corresponde con las modificaciones y ampliaciones realizadas en épocas imperiales romanas, sobre todo lo que tiene que ver con la estructura de la escena. La cavea o gradas del teatro de Taormina tienen un diámetro de 109 m. construidas en ladrillo, están divididas en 9 cuneos (cuñas), igual que el teatro griego de Siracusa.

La orquesta semicircular está ligeramente más baja que el escenario con dos salidas laterales para el coro, sobre estas se aposentaba el escenario con dos pisos, con tres salidas para actores en el primero y decorados con columnatas y un pórtico superior. Las paredes del fondo conservan nichos cuya decoración consistía en esculturas, así como columnas de mármol.

Detrás de la escena se presienten los bastidores desde donde los actores accedían a la escena. Se sabe que en transformaciones posteriores en edad romana fue reconvertido en anfiteatro, arena para la organización de espectáculos de gladiadores pues se encuentran aún las estructuras del muro de protección de las gradas para la seguridad de los asistentes, así como la eliminación del desnivel entre la orquesta y el escenario.

Durante la década de los 90 el teatro fue restaurado y en actualidad se ofrecen conciertos estivales de música clásica, festivales y representaciones teatrales clásicas que demuestran la espectacular acústica.

ikeharel, Fis2, holmertz, alvaraalto, Cricri, COSTANTINO, PaulVDV, papagolf21, mcmtanyel, cornejo, maloutim ha contrassegnato questa nota come utile

Critiques | Translate

ikeharel (114435) 2018-12-15 8:52

Hola Luis,
Chosen a POV that includes the mighty Etna high above the eastern coastal area of Sicilia and Taormina ancient amphiteatre and rocky slopes around.
I had taken a (not good) picture of the same place, now you given me good memories about our visit to the place.
Buen fin de semana,
Ike

Silvio1953 (222747) 2018-12-15 8:52

Ciao Luis, great view of fascinating ruines with fantastic smoking mountain in BG, wonderful natural colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

Fis2 (171789) 2018-12-15 9:15

Witaj Luis!
A very interesting place, view makes impression.
Excellent framing, colors and light.
Very well done my friend.
Have a good weekend.
Krzysztof

holmertz (103520) 2018-12-15 9:31

Hello Luis,
This is an amazing combination of ancient ruins and the legendary volcano. It's just as impressive as similar photos of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The huge rocks nearest us create a dramatic foreground. The photo has a high technical quality with excellent colours and clarity.
Kind regards,
Gert

lousat (139906) 2018-12-15 10:01

WAAW Luis,what a postcard of the Taorimna theatre! Not only a full view of what remains of the roman era,but a great capture of background too with the Etna and the valley,great shot very well done. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

mesutilgim (0) 2018-12-15 10:06

Hello Luis,
A topclass capture from Taormina, taken with perfect pov and layout. Very good sharpness. Nice framing and many usefull notes.
TFS and have a nice weekend
MESUT ILGIM

alvaraalto (42804) 2018-12-15 10:07

Hello Luis,
Wonderful panorama photo of this attractive landscape with an interesting combination of the famous Etna volcano and the ancient amphitheatre in the foreground.
The tourists who are visible as small ants at the theatre of Taormina give scale to the photo.
Excellent presentation
Have a good weekend, groet Rob

Cricri (176) 2018-12-15 10:16

Ola ami Luis
Magnifique composition, la vue sur les ruines et le volcan l'Etna, c'est une très belle image, la lumière embelli les ruines, compliment pour le choix du POV, très belle présentation
Agréable Weekend
cricri

COSTANTINO (117652) 2018-12-15 10:26

Hello dea Luis and have a nice time
and a happy Sunday
the theatre of Taormina built in pure
Greek style is one of the best in the world
this is my personal opinion
chosen the excellent pov showing both
yhe yheatre of Taormina and part
of the mountain Etna
regards
Costantino

pajaran (116915) 2018-12-15 10:57

Dobro vece.
Lep pogled, interesantan i dobar tekst ...
Lepo pokazano, dobra perspektiva i kontrast, lepe boje.
Lepa stara arhitektura i planina u pozadini.
Lepa rusevima Grckog teatra.
Zelim vam lepu i mirnu noc, sve najbolje za vikend, srecno.
Paja.

Good evening.
Nice view, interesting and good text ...
Beautifully shown, good perspective and contrast, beautiful colors.
Beautiful old architecture and mountain in the background.
Nice to the ruins of the Greek Theater.
I wish you a nice and peaceful night, all the best for the weekend, good luck.

jean113 (28221) 2018-12-15 12:46

Hello Luis, this is an excellent point of view with everything in sharp focus.
I really like the way that you have composed it with Etna in the far distance.
We have visited this place and know how impressive it is.
Lovely shot.
Regards Jean.

PaulVDV (63432) 2018-12-15 12:58

Hello Luis,
A famous place and a famous view ... but so far I've never made it to Taormina.
You present us here a magnificent picture that combines well the impressive volcano, the fantastic ancient site, the beautiful coastline and a part of the modern town.
Excellent composition.
Best regards, Paul

Tue (93296) 2018-12-15 13:43

Hello Luis,
A great photo with many different elements present. The rocks in the foreground, the amazing, ancient ruins in the centre and the hilly landscape with the mountain hazy in the distance. Very well composed and captured with a fine lighting.
Lars

papagolf21 (152607) 2018-12-15 14:42

Bonjour, cher luis,
L'image présentée est magnifique tout comme la description donnée de l'architecture et de l'utilisation de ce théâtre qui impose le plus grand respect vis-à-vis des concepteurs architectes de l'époque pour obtenir une telle acoustique;
J'admire tout simplement.
Amitiés.
Philippe

jmdias (116307) 2018-12-15 15:00

luis

con certeza un típico teatro griego con vista de la naturaleza especial de la isla, algo que hacia el propósito curativo del teatro en aquel tiempo. muy bella vista con el volcán y las ruínas.

saludos

jorge

Ilonka1974 (10307) 2018-12-15 16:34

Hi Luis,
Amazing view of Taorimna theatre and Etna volcano . Lovely composition and very good presentation. Sharpness and clarity are perfect. Well done,
Best regards
Janusz

mcmtanyel (69063) 2018-12-15 20:40

Hello Luis,
What a stupendous view! Lovely ruins of an ancient theater are being watched an active volcano.
Regards,
MT

jemaflor (148094) 2018-12-15 23:36

Salut Luis,
Superbe composition entre historiques ruines et paysage avec la silhouette du volcan en fond, très belle luminosité qui valorise l'ensemble, très bien cadré.

abmdsudi (95869) 2018-12-16 6:03

Hi Luis
An imposing amphitheatre and sense of enormity taken from a great viewpoint. Nice compositional arrangement, the detailing is wonderful in great contrasting colours. An appealing subject matter and its history, Congrats.
Best regards

emka (158672) 2018-12-16 23:53

Hola Luis, This view from Taormina with the ancient theater and Etna is the most famous in Sicily. Magnificent composition, fantastic sharpness and colours in the sunny day. Breathtaking view.

have a nice new week

Malgo

cornejo (61504) 2018-12-28 10:44

Hola amigo Luís, bonita vista del interesante teatro con el famoso volcan al fondo, muy bien compuesta y captada con un estupendo pov en esta muy buena y bonita foto. Una encantadora imagen, con buena nitidez, profundidad, luz, color y calidad. Estupendo y bonito trabajo perfectamente realizado, mis felicitaciones compañero. Gracias por compartir este interesante trabajo.

Buena noche y feliz fin de semana.
Afectuosos saludos desde el sur de España.
Un abrazo.
Angel.

mkamionka (75009) 2018-12-28 11:52

Hola Luis,
I thought looking at your gallery that you uploaded it after the recent Etna's eruption but I see it was before, meaning that you somehow anticipated the Etna may wake up this Christmas.
Very impressive composition with the ruins appearing magnificent in the foreground with the smoking Etna in the distance.
I wonder how it looks now...
Excellent work,

I wish you a Happy New Year!
M

maloutim (13617) 2019-03-08 22:56

Ola luis
Esto es lo que mejor recuerdo de Taormina: el antiguo teatro con el Monte Etna en el horizonte y una hermosa vista de la bahía.
Gran foto que me trae buenos recuerdos.
Saludos.
Marie Louise.

macjake (98544) 2019-03-27 3:41

Hi Luis
this city caught my attention as I don't recognize its name AT ALL, and you were so fond of it in your note so I went to check out other photos from this place. I found this one that I liked. It would be great to see a concert here :) wonderful views, and wonderful old ruins while still being able to be used today. great photo and subject. cheers
Craig

Miguel82 (47110) 2019-05-26 13:08

Luis, el teatro fue construido sobre las alturas de Taormina. Domina la bahia y el mar. Solo unas pocas columnas y algunas paredes dan testimonio de la época Griega. Las plazas sentadas del teatro estan todavia en buen estado. La vista del volcano Etna es impenetrable desde estas ruinas. Buen punto de vista. Perfecta calidad de imagen