Ancient Theatre - Taormina, Sicily - Roman Portico Behind the Cavea

Ancient brickwork and surviving niches of the Roman portico running behind the upper cavea of Taormina’s Ancient Theatre.

This photograph explores the archaeological remains behind the upper seating of Taormina’s Ancient Theatre, where a long curved wall of Roman brickwork follows the shape of the cavea. Rows of shallow niches, blocked openings and surviving sections of masonry reveal architectural details that are easily overlooked when viewing the theatre from its famous panoramic viewpoints. At the summit of the cavea once stood a double portico covered by a vault, providing a sheltered circulation area around the upper part of the theatre. Thirty-six small niches opened along its wall and may originally have displayed statues. The theatre itself originated during the Hellenistic period in the 3rd–2nd century BC, but the structures visible today largely belong to extensive Roman rebuilding, particularly during the first half of the 2nd century AD. Later modifications accompanied the transformation of the theatre for Roman arena spectacles. The exposed brick, stone and surviving architectural details provide a fascinating close view of the complex construction hidden behind Taormina’s celebrated auditorium.