THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS OF TAORMINA
Three architectural gems reveal the ancient soul of the city
A world-famous tourist destination, Taormina is a delightful city where history, art and architecture come together.
Its medieval streets and panoramic terraces are home to three extraordinary historic buildings of rare beauty that bear witness to Taormina’s past: Palazzo Corvaja, Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano and Badia Vecchia, now the headquarters of our association. These buildings embody centuries of culture and the Arab, Norman and Gothic influences that have made Taormina a crossroads of civilisations.
Palazzo Corvaja and Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano
Palazzo Corvaja
SSituated in the heart of the Old Town, Palazzo Corvaja is one of Taormina’s most distinctive landmarks. Its construction dates back to the Arab period (10th century), when the square tower that still looks over the square today was built.
Over the centuries, the palace was extended with elegant Catalan-Gothic features, and became the seat of the Sicilian Parliament in 1410.
The façade, adorned with mullioned windows and battlements, is a fine example of the fusion of styles that is the hallmark of Taormina’s architecture. Today, Palazzo Corvaja hosts exhibitions and cultural events, as well as the city’s Tourist Information Office.
Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano
Just a short walk from Corso Umberto stands the magnificent Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano, a masterpiece of Sicilian Gothic architecture built between the 14th and 15th centuries. Featuring elegant decorations in lava stone and limestone, the palace was the residence of the noble Spanish family De Spuches, the Dukes of Santo Stefano.
Today the building is home to the Mazzullo Foundation, featuring works and sculptures by the Taormina-born artist Giuseppe Mazzullo, making this place a meeting point between historical memory and contemporary art.
Palazzo Corvaja
Palazzo dei Duchi di Santo Stefano
Badia Vecchia
The Badia Vecchia is one of the most evocative medieval buildings in Taormina. Dating back to the 14th century, it combines Arabic and Norman architectural elements, with an outline defined by the characteristic crenellated tower.
Probably originally part of a monastic complex, the Badia Vecchia has evolved over the centuries from a fortress into a noble residence, and is now the headquarters of the AAT – Taormina Hotel Association.
The choice of this location is no coincidence: the Badia Vecchia perfectly embodies the bond between history, hospitality and the local area that the AAT promotes on a daily basis, safeguarding and showcasing the city’s cultural and tourist heritage.
