Ancient Theatre - Taormina, Sicily - Roman Ruins from the Modern Stage

A stage-level view of the weathered Roman architecture of Taormina’s Ancient Theatre, where ancient ruins continue to provide a dramatic setting for modern performances.

This photograph looks across the modern performance stage of Taormina’s Ancient Theatre towards the massive surviving walls of its Roman stage building. Weathered brickwork, arched openings and architectural niches dominate the background, while lighting equipment, cables and temporary stage structures in the foreground reveal the monument’s continuing role as a venue for contemporary performances. The theatre originated during the Hellenistic period in the 3rd–2nd century BC, although the structures visible today largely belong to extensive Roman reconstruction, particularly during the first half of the 2nd century AD. Further alterations between the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD transformed the theatre into an arena, including the construction of an annular corridor and an underground area used for equipment and possibly animal cages. In modern times the Teatro Antico has returned to its original association with performance, providing a remarkable historic setting for concerts, theatre, opera and other cultural events. This low viewpoint creates a particularly strong contrast between ancient architecture and the theatre’s modern working stage.