La Matrangela

Isola Bella

netskin — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 10:00:02 +0000

A location with a unique charm like no other

Taormina is a charming location like no other, a place where the History of mankind, the tracks which are left behind by thus, perfectly match together with the beauty and nature, a wonderful place, thanks to the eternal blossoms and unique treasures of art, which mix together forming a microsm.
Isola Bella of Taormina, is connected to the mainland by a strip of sand and therefore was so-called by the Baron Wilhelm von Gloeden, a German aristocrat, who lived in Taormina during the 800 and 900’s.

The worlwide diffusion of Taormina’s beauty, was thanks to the photographic masterpieces of Wilhelm von Gloeden, even though he passed on in history, as the photographer of scandals, in fact, he is remembered as the artist who gave Taormina the erotic and bucolic profile.

Visitors are able to reach the Reserve of the small island in two ways, one by via Pirandello, outside Messina Harbour, on foot through the path, which starts from the viewpoint of Isola Bella and reaches the entrance to the Reserve, or with the city cablecar, reaching the shore of Mazzarrò and from there, continuing for another 200 metres on the main street.

The mingling of typical vegetation of the mediterranean and the esotic plants are thanks to the ancient owner, ‘Lady Trevelyn’, who, taking advantage of her passion for plants, planted tropical plants of a very high value on the island, which, mixing with the mediterranean vegetation, create until today, an exclusive scenery never to be seen anywhere else in the world. It is possible to admire a flourishing vegetation and enjoy the various shades of colours and essences of nature.

L'articolo Isola Bella proviene da La Matrangela.

Taormina

netskin — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 09:59:19 +0000

Taormina, scenographic, naturally

Located in a spettacular way, on the top of a mountain, Taormina is the most loved location for tourism, on a national and international level of excellence.

Protagonist of the North Etna district, thanks to its sceneries and cultural sites of great touristic interest, it is a small city with a Greek soul. Taormina preserves, in a unique way, a delicious medieval borough, animated by colours and essences coming from the mediterranean vegetation.

All year round, it maitains a pleasant climate, making it the ideal destination seasons all yea roundr. IX Aprile Square, is the most elegant “sitting room” of Taormina. Having as characteristics, the open-air bars and the street artists, busy in painting portraits and sceneries. From the balcony, you can admire the magnificent scenery, which embraces Etna, the Naxos Bay and the ruins of the ancient theatre of Taormina, a frame for cultural events and prizes on an international level.

The marvelous coast hosts Isola Bella, so-called by Baron Wilhelm von Gloeden, a German aristocrat, who lived in Taormina, during the 800 and 900’s, due to the charm of Isola Bella’s particular shapes, which connects it to the mainland by a natural strip of sand.

L'articolo Taormina proviene da La Matrangela.

Greek Theatre

netskin — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 09:58:27 +0000

A panoramic terrace like no other in the world

The Greek theatre of Taormina is the real historic and architectonic pearl of the city. This precious monument represents part of our artistic-cultural heritage, heritage and tangible proof of the Greek origins, which are a great part of our culture, it arises behind Palazzo Corvaja, on Corso Umberto.

Its charm does not only regard the historic echo, but also the strategic point, in which it arises. It is a real and proper panoramic stage, offering to its visitors, a large view of Etna, the plains of Catania and the Ionic Coast, upto the Calabrian mountains. The Greek Theatre of Taormina, is the best preserved ancient monument, and is placed in the second place of Sicilian theatres, due to the size, following the one in custody, in the city of Siracuse.
The geographical position, the breathtaking scenery, the green nature that surrounds it and the sea of Schisò Bay, make the Greek Theatre of Taormina a panoramic terrace like no other.

About the origins of the Theatre, historics reveal its construction around the III century B.C. it’s possible, also today, to read on some of the steps, the incision of the name of Filistide, wife of the Siracuse Tyrrhenian, who built the theatre. During the Roman era the Theatre was re-built, in the II century A.C. upon request of Cesare Augusto Ottaviano.

The Theatre was addressed to musical and letterary presentations, addressed to the elite of the city. The Greek Theatre of Taormina reproduces the architecture of the largest Greek-Roman theatre, but with carvings that diversify both structures. The entire theatre was built with clay bricks and is divided in three main parts: stage, orchestra and audience. The audience has a diametre of about 109 metres and is divided into nine sectors. At the top of the steps, it is possible to admire a double porch covered by a vault.

On the wall of the porch, 36 small niches open up, maybe addressed to the collecting of statues; today, they seem like small windows, which offer panoramic glimpses. During the 800’s the Theatre went through works of renovation, regarding the placement of the columns on the stage. In the 50’s, of the 900’s The Greek Theatre of Taormina was inaugurated, as a stage for events in the open air and has become the location, since 1983, for Taormina Art, an annual manifestation, addressed to the cinema, prose, dance shows and concerts.

L'articolo Greek Theatre proviene da La Matrangela.

Giardini Naxos

netskin — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 09:57:03 +0000

Archeological site of Giardini Naxos

The location is the custody of the ruins of the first Greek settlement, in Sicily. Apart from the ruins of some ancient buildings, it is possible to view various findings of precious workmanship, used by the Greek and local people, today, preserved in a museum construction, which, in the past, was a defensive fort.

The flower for your eye, is the seaside on which Giardini Naxos extends, with its atmosphere enriched by small pubs, restaurants and nightlife activity, which attract visitors and holidaymakers for unforgettable walks.

The beach is well organised, with private and public structures for families, youngsters and also for those who just wish to enjoy a bit of tranquility, which the area ensures, with pleasant excursions through nature.

L'articolo Giardini Naxos proviene da La Matrangela.

Castelmola

netskin — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 09:56:33 +0000

The charm of a medieval borough

A small town, a little bit above Taormina, Castelmola preserves the charm of a medieval borough, far away from the usual touristic routes.

The visitor enchanted by its breathtaking twists, may encounter a much more authentic atmosphere, and here, you can get yourself lost, strolling among the characteristical allies and cobbled paths.

L'articolo Castelmola proviene da La Matrangela.

Gole dell’Alcantara

netskin — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 09:55:06 +0000

Deep gorges carved in the basalt

One of the most noteworthy and particular locations of Sicily, deep gorges carved in the columnar basalt by the Alcantara River. The name of the river has an Arabic origin and derives from an ancient bridge, which was used for crossing (“Al qantarah”, the bridge). Various theories try to reconstruct the origins of the gorges, sustaining that they were formed due to a slow erosion from part of the river or by an earthquake, which broke down the basaltic group.

It is possible to enter through the city entrance or entrust yourself to guided visits, so to follow the route of the river bed and discover an uncontaminated environment characterised by waterfalls and small lakes.

L'articolo Gole dell’Alcantara proviene da La Matrangela.

Forza d’Agrò

netskin — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 09:54:47 +0000

The reward after the climb

This small town located on a mountain, just above Capo S. Alessio, is the reward after the climb. The most daring climb the long and perched path by bike and remain enraptured by the spectacular views of the Jonio. In just a glimpse, your eyes capture the embrace of Messina, Taormina, the queen coast and Etna. The most important monuments are the mother church, dedicated to Saint Annunziata, the Augustan Convent, The Church of Saint Trinity and the Norman Castle of the XIV century, of which only ruins remain.

L'articolo Forza d’Agrò proviene da La Matrangela.

Savoca

netskin — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 09:53:23 +0000

Exuberant scenery surrounded by vital nature

“Seven faces has Savoca and seven faces make the Savoca”. With this ancient saying it has been identified for centuries as the ancient destination with the right of being named on the list of the “Most beautiful boroughs of Italy”.

Savoca stands in a really fascinating territory, an exuberant scenery, surrounded by vital nature, which has been able to bewitch artists and writers. Among these, also the great film director ‘Francis Ford Coppola’, who chose this area for the filming of his famous film “The Godfather” making Savoca a cinematographic touristic destination and not only, but also a famous city worldwide.

L'articolo Savoca proviene da La Matrangela.

Catania

netskin — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 09:52:57 +0000

Catania, chaotic and beautiful

Industrial and economical city, Catania has shamelessly climbed to the fore, thanks to its hidden beauties. Its soul is Greek, in fact, it was the Chalcidians who founded Catania in 729 B.C, then Romans, Bizantines, Normans and further more, lively with visible contrasts and sceneries.

The sea and Etna, the philosophy and commerce, the theatre and local market. All in a wild and vital contrast. The traveller can’t avoid falling in love and appreciating its history, made up of continual rebirths, under the shadow of the vulcano. Something not to lose, is the festival of Saint Agata (3-6 February), a spectacular appointment between faith and folklore. Three days of cult, devotion, folklore and traditions, which are not to be found anywhere else in the world. Only the Holy Week of Siviglia in Spain and the festival of Corpus Domini in Cusco in Peru can be compared, regarding the popularity of the Catania festival, for over 5 centuries.

L'articolo Catania proviene da La Matrangela.

Etna

netskin — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 09:51:16 +0000

Etna, majestic vulcano

Undisputed protagonist of the oriental Sicilian scenery, Etna is one of the most visited and explored destinations, thanks to its incomparable and unique typical characteristics. It has marked first place in being considered as the highest active vulcano of Europe and today, it is known as patrimony of UNESCO.

The local citizens call Etna “a Muntagna” and it offers emotions and expolsions of fire conquering, in an extraordinary way, those who are passionate, researchers and simply the curious, to see the columns of ashes and hear the booms that, in a pleasant way, make the ground shake in all the towns below.

L'articolo Etna proviene da La Matrangela.