Stazione di Taormina-Giardini (Taormina-Giardini Station), Taormina

Founded in 1866 as part of the Messina–Syracuse railway line, the station was originally named “Giardini” after the neighboring coastal town, which simply means “gardens". In the 1920s, it was completely rebuilt under the direction of architect Roberto Narducci, assuming its current neo‑Gothic charm-with crenellated twin towers, pointed‑arch windows, and a wrought‑iron canopy inspired by the demolished Castle of Villagonia.

Step inside, and you're transported to a bygone era: richly frescoed ceilings, late‑19th‑century Sicilian wooden furnishings, wrought‑iron details, and stained‑glass panels-many crafted by the artist Salvatore Gregorietti, a master of the Art Nouveau movement.

But the station’s appeal goes beyond architecture. Perched on an embankment at the foot of Taormina’s rocky promontory, it commands sweeping views over the Bay of Giardini Naxos. Not surprisingly, this cinematic backdrop has featured in numerous films-most notably The Godfather Part III, The Big Blue, and The Little Devil.