Ischia is an island of eternal youth and beauty. Known for its healing thermal waters. He will win the hearts of even seasoned tourists.
Ischia Island
Ischia (Ischia) - a rocky volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples, the region of Campania. A climatic resort with many active thermal springs and lush, diverse vegetation. An ancient land with invaluable historical heritage, cultural artifacts, picturesque gorges and gardens.
There are 3 volcanoes on the island: Epomeo (789 m), Trobotti (512 m) and Monte Vezzi (395 m). The last eruption was in 1301. Today, only water vapor and hot thermal springs remind of their activities, thanks to which rest and treatment are possible all year round. There are earthquakes on the island, the last recorded in 2017.
Ischia Porto
Ischia Ponte
Forio
Casamicciola Terme
Lacco Ameno
Serrara Fontana
Barano d'Ischia
5 things to do in Ischia
- Devote a day to swimming in the luxurious pools of the Poseidon Gardens;
- spend an unforgettable evening in Forio - in the tavern Terra del Fuoco, see the Neapolitan folklore performance;
- climb a narrow path to the top of the "mountain attracting clouds" - Epomeo volcano;
- appreciate the culinary symbol of the island - the famous rabbit in Iskitansky;
- buy local cosmetics based on island mud and thermal water.
View of about. Ischia from Pozzuoli
Legend
There is a beautiful legend about the origin of the island. Jupiter, during the battle with the Giants, tore a huge piece of tufa from the volcano Etna and threw it at the hated Typhon. But Venus managed to change the direction of flight of the cliff. She fell into the waters of the Gulf of Naples. So the island appeared. The goddess greened him and inhabited animals. But the vengeful Typhon, through volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, continued to pour out his anger. Now the giant, basically, is in a state of sleep: his breath exits through underwater craters in the form of thermal springs.
When to go to Ischia
The island of eternal youth and beauty
The island is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Geographically, it enters the Neapolitan Riviera. The climate of Ischia is subtropical Mediterranean, with an abundance of sunny days - more than 250 a year. The average temperature is + 17 ° C (from + 10 ° C in the winter to + 28 ° C in the summer). By June, the water warms up to + 22 ° C. In October, the velvet season ends, by the end of the month it rains.
From the beginning of April to the end of October is the best time to visit the island. But thanks to the thermal springs it is comfortable all year round.
The main resorts of Ischia
Ischia
Aragonese castle (Castello Aragonese), photo by Bernhard Chudy
The oldest part of the island is its unofficial capital, Ischia. It is divided into the administrative center - Ischia Porto (Ischia Porto), and a cozy suburb - Ischia Ponte (Ischia Ponte). The main historical attraction of the commune is the Aragonese castle (Castello Aragonese). Ancient citadel founded by the Greeks in the 5th century BC and reaching modern sizes by 1441. It stands on a small piece of land covered with rocky pine trees. In 1301, the inhabitants of the city of Geronda, destroyed by the eruption of Epomea, took refuge on this tiny islet. Today to Castello Aragonese from Ischia you can walk along a narrow dam.
On the territory of Ischia Porto there is a multifunctional thermal center Ischia (Terme di Ischia), with a pleasant relaxing atmosphere, enhancing the therapeutic effect of thermal springs. Water with a high content of mineral salts, sodium chloride-sulfate, is recommended for the treatment of chronic joint diseases and rheumatism, obesity, muscle pain, neuralgia, gynecological diseases. The term website is www.termeischia.eu.
In Ischia Ponte, Il Giardino Eden Park operates - the Gardens of Eden, a separate coastal area behind the Aragonese Castle. Warm springs beat right on the shore, forming natural saunas. There are four pools, two of them are filled with sea water. From "Eden" overlooks the castle and the island of Capri.
Forio
Panorama Giardini Poseidon Terme
Forio is a commune in the west of Ischia. In the 7th century BC Greeks settled here. They built the temple of Venus Chitarskaya. The fortress tower of Torrione (XV century) recalls the raids of the pirate Ariardeno Barbarossa. Today, celebrities are eagerly resting in the city.
In Forio is a unique landscape park "Gardens of La Mortella" (Giardini La Mortella), translated from Neapolitan - "divine myrtle", created on a former lava flow. Exotic plants are collected on two hectares, natural zones with different microclimate are arranged, chamber concerts are held in the tea house.
The architecture of Forio mixed Moorish and Greek styles. 12 medieval watchtowers, the elegant temple of San Gaetano (XVII century), the late medieval basilica of Santa Maria Loreto have been preserved. The symbol of the city is the church of Madonna del Soccorso, the patroness of sailors (XVIII century). Villa La Colombaia has a museum dedicated to the work of the famous director Lucino Visconti (Museo-Fondazione La Colombaia di Luchino Visconti).
The largest thermal park opened in Forio, a UNESCO site - the "Gardens of Poseidon" (Giardini Poseidon Terme). The health complex, built at the foot of Epomeo, combines 22 cascading ponds (water temperature varies from + 15 ° to + 40 °), including Kneipp pools, a cave with a Roman sauna, and a Japanese bath made of volcanic stone. Salt water bromo-iodide, sodium sulfate-chloride-alkali-containing with compounds of magnesium, iron and radon. Recommended for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, chronic respiratory diseases, dermatitis. Eucalyptus, olive and citrus trees grow on the terraces of the complex. The Grotto Wine Bar is open.
Details about the thermal springs of the Poseidon Gardens I wrote here.
Casamicciola
Casamicciola Terme (Casamicciola Terme), photo JustGlowing
Casamicciola Terme (Casamicciola Terme) - a resort near the extinct volcano Rotaro in the north of Ischia. There is an old factory of ceramic products - Menella. Late Bronze Age archaeological park opened on Castiglione Hill.
In Casamicciol, the Thermal Park of Castiglione operates (Parco Termale Castiglione) with hot mineral springs, ten pools of different capacities and temperatures. Comprehensive treatments are available at the local treatment center. The Castiglione Park has its own rocky beach, natural sauna, bar, panoramic restaurant.
Lacco Ameno
Bizarre Tuff Rock Fungo - Stone Mushroom, photo by Paolo
Lacco Ameno is a resort town in the northeast of Ischia. On the main square of Lacco stands the magnificent Church of the Holy Restitution (Basilica di Santa Restituta), rebuilt in 1036 from an early Christian church. Under it is open the archaeological park of the same name - the Museum of Pithecus (Museo archeologico di Pithecusae), where objects from terracotta, bronze, painted vessels are presented. Nearby is the famous Villa Arbusto Museum with a collection of fossil ceramics of world significance. From the promenade of Lacco Ameno you can see the bizarre tufa rock Fungo - a stone "mushroom".
In Lacco Ameno there are thermal "Gardens of Negombo" (Parco Termale Negombo) with a botanical park, sandy beach, twelve pools equipped with hydromassage; with a maze and a grotto. There are three bars, a restaurant, an open concert hall. Thermal water is recommended for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, chronic sinusitis, bronchitis and pharyngitis, gynecological diseases.
Serrara Fontana
Sant'Angelo Island, photo by Mario Migliaccio
Serrara Fontana (Serrara-Fontana) - a commune in the south of the island. This is the most beautiful, most respectable corner of Ischia with an authentic fishing village on the coast. The best panoramic views of Capri and the Pontic Islands open from the Serrara region. You can go along the stone isthmus to the lava island of Sant'Angelo: the ruins of a watchtower of the monastery tower have been preserved there.
The Serrara-Fontana thermal complex combines the Tropical Parks (with 10 pools and a spa) and Aphrodite Apollo (with 12 pools, a private beach, a sauna, a restaurant).
Barano
Maronti Beach, toatec photo
In Barano d'Ischia, the largest island beach of Maronti is 2 km long. In one of the coastal grottoes, the warm alkaline spring of Nitrodi, discovered by the Romans, beats. On the main square of Barano are two old temples: San Rocco and San Sebastiano.
Olympus Thermal Park (Parco Termale Olympus) is located above the beach. This complex includes hydromassage pools, a mud bath, a garden with a sun terrace. Thermal water with a high content of mineral salts is recommended for the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, chronic sinusitis, bronchitis and pharyngitis, gynecological and nervous diseases.
History paragraph
Ischia was a Mediterranean ancient Greek guard post from the 8th century BC. A few centuries later, Greek settlers left the island due to frequent volcanic eruptions. From the 3rd century BC the Romans founded the trading port of Aenaria here, and soon the island became a thermal resort. In the XV century, he was captured by the army of Aragon. For a long time, Ischia, owned by the Spaniards, suffered from pirate raids. Since 1729, she went to the Neapolitan crown. The heyday of mass tourism began after World War II.
Entertainment
Entertainment on the island
In addition to the thermal parks in Ischia, there are natural saunas and springs. The most popular are Nitrodi and Olmitello. At the village of Pantsa, in the bay of Sorgeto, warm fumaroles overlook the sea. Near the park "Aphrodite - Apollon" is a natural sauna Kavaskura.
If you get bored with swimming, head to the adventure park in Barano - Indiana Park Ischia. During the day you can see the museums: the art gallery of the Torrione tower, the arms display of the Aragonese castle, the archaeological collections of "Villa Arbusto". At night in Ischia Porto and Forio lights burn, noise disco, work clubs, taverns and pubs.
Holidays
Feast of St. Anne, photo by Enzo Rando
St. Isaac is considered the heavenly patron of Ischia: they organize a holiday in his honor on June 14-16.
The folk festival "Ndrezzata" takes place on June 24 in the village of Buonopano. Men in folk costumes dance, crossing the models of swords, depicting a battle.
At the end of June, the Ischia International Film Festival is held.
The end of July is marked by a holiday dedicated to the patron saint of the pregnant Saint Anne (Festa a Mare agli scogli di Sant'Anna). Elegantly decorated vessels stand in the bay near the Aragonese Castle, competitions between boats are organized, a performance and an enchanting fire show are held.
On August 26, a costume parade in honor of the patron saint of Ischia Porto, St. Alexander, moves from the Castello Aragonese bridge.
September 29-30 in the town of Sant'Angelo celebrate the feast of St. Michael the Archangel (Festa di San Michele Arcangelo), the patron saint of sailors. One festive procession goes along the streets of the town with a statue of St. Michael at the head. The second - by boat along the beaches of Maronti.
Ischia's Kitchen
Iskitansky rabbit, photo by Barbara_coniglio
The cuisine of Ischia, according to the Mediterranean tradition, is replete with seafood and herbs. Here you can cook assorted fish soup, grilled mussels, shellfish, octopus, and squid. The main island dish is the Iskitan rabbit (coniglio all'ischitana); authentic breed rabbit cooked according to an authentic recipe. The animals are grown in earthen pits and fed only with grass, the meat is stewed in a ceramic bowl in olive oil. With rabbit sauce make "bucatini" pasta. For the local pappardelle (pappardelle), this pasta is harvested porcini mushrooms on the slopes of Monte Epomeo.
Popular sweet dishes: rum woman soaked with "limoncello", chocolate cream Sanguinaccio, potato rings with cherry filling - Zeppole San Giuseppe, taralli cookies.
Wines on the island have been produced since ancient Greek times. Famous island brands: white - Biancolella and Forastera, red - Piedirosso. Lemoncello lemon liquor is popular.
How to get there
In the port of Ischia
The most convenient way to get to the island from Naples is:
- on a ferry that runs 1.5 hours;
- on a boat that will transport you faster in just 40 minutes.
Details of how to get there I wrote here.
