Palazzo Badia Vecchia, which translated from Italian means "Old Abbey" - a historic building in the Gothic style, built in Taormina in the 14th century. In 1960 it was purchased by the municipality of the city of 12 million lire. After that it was carried out restoration work, but soon the building has again been neglected and left at the mercy of vandals.

As Palazzo Duca di S. Stefano, Badia Vecchia is very similar to the fortress, which is not surprising - both buildings were erected as a bastion along the city walls, designed to protect the northern part of Taormina. Especially stern Palazzo gives parapet walls with loopholes at the top. Armando Dill, an architect from Naples, said that the name was given to Badia Vecchia structure after it for a while lived Abbess Euphemia, the former in the middle of the 14th century regent of his younger brother Frederick, King of the Two Sicilies. However, this assumption remains a theory, though very plausible.

In fact, Badia Vecchia was once a convent. Proof of this are the sacred images, found on the bottom of the well to collect rainwater. Most likely, the figures have been hidden there to save them from the numerous invasions of foreigners who are subjected to Taormina for its long history. In addition, it is believed that all the niches inside were designed for storing icons, and there was a pantry.

Badia Vecchia Gothic architecture is very similar to the architecture of the Palazzo Duca di S. Stefano, Palazzo as both were built in the same epoch - 14th century. Both buildings are also traces of Arab and Norman influences. Badia Vecchia consists of three rooms of equal size. Frieze from the local volcanic lava and white Syracuse stone decorates the building, separating the first and second floors. It is one next to the other see the three magnificent arched windows - from a distance, they seem united window with six wings. Arches decorating the side windows have one round window-outlet and in the central arch are three of them. Top facade Badia Vecchia is decorated with forked prongs, which makes the building look like a fortress.