Getting Married in Taormina
Taormina is the city of dreams, with its historic buildings, lively streets and breathtaking views of the Ionian coast, Mount Etna (the highest volcano in Europe) and the magical island of Isola Bella. Sicily and Taormina have inspired many famous visitors over the generations to write verses and words that reflect its magnificent charm and beauty, including Homer, Cicero, Dante Alighieri and JW Goethe, to name a few.
“Italy without Sicily leaves no image in the spirit … The key to everything is in Sicily … The purity of the contours, the softness of everything, the yielding blend of colors, the harmony of heaven with the sea and the sea with the earth … who has seen them once, will have them throughout their lives. ” (JW Goethe,” Journey to Italy “, 1817)
Palazzo Ducci of Santo Stefano & Villa Comunale
In magical Taormina there are two places where it is possible to get married in an official civil ceremony.
Alternatively, a popular option is to celebrate your wedding with a symbolic ceremony at your dream location in Taormina, and arrange for the official civil ceremony to take place separately in your home country.
Palazzo dei Duchi di Santo Stefano
The palazzo was built in the 14th century as the residence of a noble Spanish family and is considered one of the masterpieces of Gothic Sicilian art in which Arab and Norman architecture blend together. Civil weddings take place in the room on the ground floor or on the first floor, accessible from a stone staircase. It is a beautiful room with stone walls and large windows overlooking the gardens. Ceremonies are performed every day of the week, excluding Italian holidays.
These marvelous gardens belonged to Lady Florence Trevelyan, Queen Victoria’s cousin, who lived in exile in Taormina from 1884. She was forced to leave puritan England because of a relationship with her cousin, the future king of England Edward VII. Having travelled extensively across all the continents she settled permanently in Taormina in 1884. She purchased, as well as the famous Isola Bella, several brulli lands, which were rebuilt in an “English Garden” style.
The Churches of Taormina
Weddings are usually celebrated in the Cathedral. You can celebrate a wedding in one of the other churches in Taormina, with the permission of the priest. If the marriage is celebrated by a parish priest chosen by the bride and groom, the priest must have Italian citizenship. All marriages must follow the instructions suggested by the priest. Here are the churches where you can celebrate your wedding.
Duomo Cathedral
Consecrated to San Nicolò di Bari, it was elevated to the status of Basilica Minore in 1980
Church of San Giuseppe
Located in the central square of IX Aprile and built during the 17th century
Church of Varò
Meaning ``visitation`` in Spanish, it was built between the 17th and 19th centuries
Santa Caterina
Saint Caterina of Alexandria was built in the first half of 1600, starting in 1610
Church of San Pancrazio
The church dates back to the 18th century and is dedicated to the patron saint of Taormina
Sant'Antonio of Padova
Founded by the Friars Minori Cappuccini, in the northern area outside the walls of the city
Church of San Pietro
The oldest Christian church in Taormina, positioned along the provincial road
Sant'Antonio Abate
Rustic with a nave, it was built in 1330 and is located on the southern edge of the city
Madonna della Rocca
One of the most scenic churches in the world, with its location above Taormina
Church of S. Domenica
The church building dates back to 1600 and is characterized by simple architecture
Church of Sant'Agostino
Positioned in Piazza IX April, facing the grand terrace overlooking the gulf
Anglican Church
Built according to the wishes of Sir Edward. It belongs to the European Diocese
Visit the inside and outside of the Villa Comunale, the Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano, and the churches of Taormina, Savoca, Forza d’Agro and Giardini Naxos.
The surroundings of Taormina: Giardini Naxos and the two smaller gems, Savoca and Forza d’Agrò. The Agrò valley is a basin crossed by a river and closed from the extremities of the Ionian Peloritani whose protuberances overlook the sea. Nestled inland, lying on a coast rich in history and tradition, there are Savoca and Forza d’Agrò: two districts which both definitely deserve to be visited.
Services