Naumachie Taormina
Discover the Naumachie Taormina, a striking Roman red brick facade and cistern, offering a peaceful historical detour.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Beat the crowds and heat
Naumachie Taormina
Best Time
Beat the crowds and heat
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover the Naumachie Taormina, a striking Roman red brick facade and cistern, offering a peaceful historical detour.
"A great little tucked-away diversion while exploring town, a historic treasure from Roman times."
🚶♀️ Shady Detour
Take a peaceful walk through the gardens; it's a lovely detour from Corso Umberto.
🏛️ Seek More Info
Look for signs or do research beforehand, as onsite information can be limited.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Grand Red Brick Facade
Main structure
A monumental 122m long red brick wall with 18 major and numerous minor niches, showcasing Roman engineering.
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The Central Water Cistern
Garden area
A large, impressive water cistern at the heart of the garden, hinting at the site's past functions.
Shady Garden Walk
Pathways
A peaceful, shaded pathway through the gardens, offering a pleasant stroll away from the main tourist paths.
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Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit to Naumachie Taormina
Understanding Naumachie's Purpose
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚶♀️ Shady Detour
Take a peaceful walk through the gardens; it's a lovely detour from Corso Umberto.
🏛️ Seek More Info
Look for signs or do research beforehand, as onsite information can be limited.
📸 Capture the Architecture
The red brick facade and niches offer great photographic opportunities.
🎟️ Free Entry
Tickets were not required during our visit, making it an accessible historical site.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚶♀️ Shady Detour
Take a peaceful walk through the gardens; it's a lovely detour from Corso Umberto.
🏛️ Seek More Info
Look for signs or do research beforehand, as onsite information can be limited.
📸 Capture the Architecture
The red brick facade and niches offer great photographic opportunities.
🎟️ Free Entry
Tickets were not required during our visit, making it an accessible historical site.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Naumachie Taormina is appreciated as a fascinating historical diversion with impressive Roman brickwork and a peaceful garden setting. While some visitors wish for more interpretive information on-site, its accessibility and unique architecture make it a worthwhile stop for those exploring Taormina.
"Great little tucked-away diversion while exploring town. I saw sources that listed it as 1st century BC and also 2nd century AD. In any case, a historic treasure from Roman times. Apparently fountains were in the arched niches and statues of gods and heroes were in the rectangular niches."
Rebecca Retzlaff
"The red brick wall and rectangular niches are a historical monument. The Roman fixed construction dates from around the 2nd century.
The name suggests this was part of a naval battle, but it was not and was never used to stage production of such water shows. It functioned as a retaining wall for the terrace on top of it.
The garden is pretty. In the middle there was a large water cistern.
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J L
"Nice little detour away from the main Corso Umberto leading you down a shady walk with nice planting and Greek and Roman remains. Keep going to the far end and you'll come out at Via degli artisti and the Bam Bar (be prepared to queue)."
Rob Robson
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Naumachie Taormina is conveniently located in Taormina, Sicily. It's often described as a 'tucked-away diversion' from the main Corso Umberto. You can walk to it from the town center, following a shady path. Many visitors find it a pleasant stroll.
While it's a 'diversion' off the main street, following the signs or using a map can help. Some visitors suggest it's a nice walk that leads you towards other points of interest like Bam Bar.
Exploring Taormina often involves walking. For longer distances or to reach beaches like Isola Bella, the cable car is a popular option.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Based on visitor experiences, tickets were not required for entry to Naumachie Taormina during their visits. This makes it an easily accessible historical site to explore.
Specific opening hours are not always clearly advertised, but it's generally accessible as part of a walk through the town's historical areas. Visiting during daylight hours is recommended for the best experience.
Most reviews indicate that there is no admission fee to visit Naumachie Taormina, making it a free historical attraction.
🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience
Naumachie Taormina is a significant Roman-era monument featuring a long red brick facade with numerous niches. Despite its name, it was likely a retaining wall and cistern, not a venue for naval battles.
You can admire the impressive red brick facade, the large central water cistern, and the various niches that once held statues. The surrounding garden also offers a pleasant atmosphere.
Some visitors have noted that there could be more information provided directly at the site. Doing some research beforehand can enhance your understanding of its history and purpose.
Dating back to the Roman era (possibly 1st century BC or 2nd century AD), it's a testament to Roman construction and urban planning, likely serving practical functions like water management and terrace support.
Absolutely! The unique architecture of the red brick facade and the garden setting make it a great spot for photography.
📸 📸 Photography
The long red brick facade with its repeating niches is a prime subject. The central cistern and the garden pathways also offer picturesque views.
Late afternoons can offer beautiful lighting as the sun begins to set, creating a warm glow on the ancient brickwork. Early mornings can provide softer light and fewer people.
Architectural photography highlighting the Roman construction and historical details works well. The garden setting also lends itself to more serene, landscape-style shots.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The shaded garden paths provide a pleasant space for a stroll, which can be a welcome break from more strenuous sightseeing. While onsite information might be limited, parents can make it more interactive by researching Roman history beforehand or turning it into a scavenger hunt for different types of niches. It's a relatively quick visit, making it suitable for shorter attention spans, and the lack of an entrance fee is a bonus for budget-conscious families.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
The play of light and shadow across the ancient structure, especially during the golden hours of early morning or late afternoon, can create dramatic and evocative images. Beyond the main facade, the surrounding garden provides opportunities for softer, more naturalistic shots. Consider capturing the details of the niches, the central cistern, or the interplay between the ancient ruins and the Mediterranean flora.
The relatively uncrowded nature of the site at off-peak times allows for unhurried composition and the capture of unique perspectives. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The History and Purpose of Naumachie Taormina
Its primary role is believed to have been a retaining wall supporting a terrace above. The impressive 122-meter-long red brick facade is punctuated by a series of major and minor niches. These niches are thought to have housed statues of gods and heroes, adding an artistic and symbolic dimension to the structure.
Discovered relatively recently in 1943, the Naumachie offers a tangible connection to Roman engineering and urban design. It stands as a testament to the practical and aesthetic considerations of Roman architecture, providing a unique glimpse into the past of Taormina.
Exploring the Gardens and Surroundings
The pathways lead you through the site, allowing you to appreciate the scale of the Roman construction and the serene atmosphere. It's a place where you can pause, reflect, and imagine the life of the city centuries ago.
Many visitors find this garden walk to be a refreshing detour, especially on a warm Sicilian day. Following the path to the far end of the Naumachie can lead you to other notable spots in Taormina, such as Via degli artisti and the popular Bam Bar, known for its granita.
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