Dedicated to San Nicolò di Bari, Taormina’s 13th-century Duomo looks more like a defensive fort than a church, with its crenellations and rough stone exterior. Often called the “cattedrale fortezza”, this fortress cathedral was built over the ruins of a small existing church, and some of the signature Taormina pink marble used in the construction of the columns may have been taken from the ruins of the Greek Theater. Taormina’s Cathedral and town hall sit on Piazza del Duomo, home to a Baroque fountain capped by a statue of a female centaur, the symbol of the city. Most Taormina walking or Segway sightseeing tours include a turn through Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral, two of the highlights of the historic center. You can visit Taormina—along with the nearby town of Castelmola and Mt. Etna—on a day trip or shore excursions from Syracuse, Messina, or Catania.