TAORMINA Escorted Tours   Independent Hotel Stay       Hotel Villas and Relais       Sightseeing Transfers History and culture The first contacts between Taormina and Greece were in 735 BC. Later Dionysius "the Old", the tyrant ruler of Syracuse, besieged the area surrounding Monte Tauro. In 392 BC, he sent Andromacus to govern the area, who founded the city of Tauromenium. To avoid any potential attacks, the city surrendered to the powerful Rome in 212 BC and became one of its colonies, a holiday resort for consuls and patricians who built many luxurious villas in this area. The Romans demanded heavier and heavier taxes from the city, and thus blocked the economic development of the territory. After the fall of the Empire, Muslims and Christians alternated in ruling the city until 962, when the Arabs finally conquered Tauromenium and renamed it Almoezia. During this period of Arab rule, the city enjoyed a period of beauty. In 1078, the Norman Ruggero d' Altavilla, supported by the Pope, conquered Almoezia, returning it to Christian rule and gave it back its original name. After the Normans, the Swabians arrived. During Frederick II's rule (194-1250) Taormina enjoyed a short but intense period of prosperity. After almost a century of conflict, Sicily passed to Spanish; this was a period of stability that lasted for several centuries, in spite of the heavy taxation imposed by the Spanish. From 1713 onwards, Sicily fell under the rule of the Savoia dynasty, the Austrians and the Spanish once more. This latter period helped to develop Taormina and important works were completed, such as the roads that connected the city of Messina to Catania and the one that joined the city to the sea. Spanish dominion lasted until August 3rd 1860 when the "Thousand" reached Taormina under the leadership of Nino Bixio. Historical buildings and monuments Badia vecchia (14 th century) Palazzo del Duca Santo Stefano (14 th century) Palazzo Corvaja Villa Comunale (19th century) Ancient Theater Escorted Tours   Independent Hotel Stay       Hotel Villas and Relais       Sightseeing Transfers © 2008 by Appianline << Back