Rebuilding The Renaissance

Episode 402 - Sicily - The Ancient Theater of Taormina

Sep 30, 2026

Originally built in the 3^rd century BCE, the ancient Greek theater of Taormina is the second largest Greek theater in Sicily after Siracusa. Constructed against the natural slope of Mt. Taurus, the structure can accommodate up to10,000 spectators and offers spectacular views of the Ionian Sea and Mt. Etna. It is still...

Episode 401 - Sicily - Taormina - “The Pearl of the Mediterranean”

Sep 23, 2026

Often called the “Pearl of the Mediterranean,” Taormina, Italy is set on Mt. Taurus and surrounded by endless magnificent views of both sea and mountains, offering Mediterranean beauty everywhere you look. Taormina is also home to the second largest ancient theater in Sicily after Siracusa. As is customary for Greek...

Episode 400 - Sicily - Neapolis Archeological Park of Siracusa

Sep 16, 2026

The archeological park of Siracusa, Sicily is in one of the five ancient districts of Siracusa known as the Neapolis - “the new city.” Its two major ancient monuments are a massive ancient Greek theater from the 5th century BCE carved directly into the limestone rock of the Temenite hill and an equally impressive...

Episode 399 - Sicily - Siracusa and Ortygia

Sep 9, 2026

Ortygia is a small island forming the historical center of the Sicilian city of Siracusa. While already inhabited by native Sicels in ancient times, Siracusa became an ancient superpower after Greek colonists settled there in the 8th century BCE and became part of Magna Graecia. In fact, Ortygia contains many of the...

Episode 398 - Sicily - The Mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale

Sep 2, 2026

Covering nearly 3,500m² of floor surface, the mosaic decoration of the Villa Romana del Casale in Piazza Armerina, Sicily, are almost unique not only in their scale, but also in their extraordinary state of preservation. The two most noteworthy and famous mosaics are the “Great Hunt,” which is nearly 70m long and...