Odeon Theatre, Taormina

The Odeon is a small-but historically rich-Roman theater constructed in the 2nd century AD under the reign of Emperor Augustus, likely built atop the remains of an earlier Greek temple, hinting at Taormina’s layered architectural past.

Unlike the larger Greek Theatre that looms over Taormina, this Odeon was a deliberately intimate venue-designed for musical performances and literary recitals enjoyed by the city’s elite. With a covered auditorium segmented into five seating areas and topped by a semicircular brick gallery, the space could host fewer than 200 people, creating a personal, exclusive experience.

The Odeon remained obscured until an 1892 archaeological excavation revealed its structure, requiring the removal of overlying buildings that had accumulated over centuries. Today, it enjoys a charming second life as the setting for Taormina’s live nativity scene during Christmas, bringing history and holiday spirit together in a unique way.