The history of this amazing island begins with a myth. The goddess Venus, who was watching the battle of Jupiter with the Giants, saw how the angry god tore off a piece from the volcano Etna and threw it at the monster Typhon. Venus changed the flight path of the volcanic rock and directed it into the clear waters of the azure bay. So, in the Gulf of Naples, a wonderful “Island of Youth and Beauty” arose, which Venus adorned with marvelous gardens. However, sometimes the breath of the sleeping giant Tryphon breaks out and beats with hot jets of thermal springs through the craters of the Epomeo volcano. A beautiful legend is not far from the truth. The island of Ischia is the largest in the Gulf of Naples, truly unique for its volcanic origin, miraculous thermal springs, amazing nature, majestic volcanoes, clear sea waters, magnificent beaches and ancient monuments. Here you can enjoy relaxing on picturesque beaches and excellent cuisine, improve your health and rejuvenate in thermal springs, and get acquainted with the centuries-old history of an unusual island.
Ischia
(Isola di Ischia) is an island of volcanic origin, located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the western coast of Italy, in the northern part of the Gulf of Naples. Ischia is the largest island in the Gulf of Naples, part of the Italian region of Campania. The area of the island is about 46 km². Ischia has three volcanoes – Epomeo (789 m), Trabotti (512 m) and Monte Vezzi (395 m).
Climate The
climate on the island of Ischia is mild Mediterranean. The average temperature in summer is + 26 °C, with a water temperature of + 25 °C, in winter + 15 °C. Sunny weather, thermal springs and healthy air provide ideal conditions for relaxation throughout the year.
Kitchen
The cuisine of the island of Ischia is based on Neapolitan recipes and local products, which are rich in the nature of the island: herbs, vegetables, seafood, pork and rabbit meat. The island’s specialty is “Rabbit a la Iski” – Coniglio all’ischitana, stewed in local white wine, with spices. Sausages are also stewed in white wine here – Salsicce al vino bianco. Fish and seafood occupy a prominent place in the menu of Ischia: fried anchovies marinated in a special sauce, boiled octopus and stewed midi – mpepata di cozze. Seafood is also added to pasta. For desserts, delicious pastries are served here, for example, Roccocò – macaroons with candied fruits. Glazed Mustacciuoli or Sfogliatella biscuits are a pastry stuffed with cottage cheese, candied fruits and cinnamon. Sunny Ischia is famous for its excellent wines: white Biancolella, Forastera, Ischia Bianco, red Ischia Rosso,
History
The history of the island of Ischia begins in the 8th century BC, when the Greeks settled on this wonderful island and named it Pithecusa (Pitecusa). The first Greek settlements were found in the Lacco-Ameno area, as evidenced today by the exhibits of the archaeological museum. Then the Romans settled on the island, who discovered the healing power of thermal volcanic springs. Later, the island of Ischia was ruled by barbarians, Normans, Aragonese, Saracens, and also subjected to pirate raids, including the legendary Dragut and Barbarossa. At the end of the 7th century, the island was included in the Parthenopean Republic. In the era of the Italian Renaissance, Ischia was ruled by the Aragonese king Alphonse, whose legacy is the famous Aragonese castle. Already in the 19th century, Ischia became a famous thermal resort, which remains to this day,
thermal springs
The healing properties of the thermal springs of the island of Ischia were discovered by the ancient Romans. One of the main witnesses of the healing properties of the thermal springs of the island was Pliny the Elder, the author of the work “History of Nature”, where he wrote that the waters of Ischia heal the sick. In the nineteenth century the town of Casamicciola was already a well-known thermal resort in Europe. But Ischia was brought to world fame in the 1950s by Angelo Rizzoli. – a well-known Milanese entrepreneur who founded a research center on the island, where he invited professors from the best Italian universities. Today, the natural wealth of the island is characterized by a huge number of springs and a wide variety of types of mineral waters, the largest concentration of underground thermal pools in Europe was found in the bowels of Ischia. There are about 70 springs on the island, many of which are located right in the hotels. The thermal springs of Ischia have special properties and are used in the treatment of many diseases, these are: cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, upper respiratory tract, metabolic disorders, nervous system. In addition, the thermal water of Ischia is used in cosmetology and cosmetics, so the island has excellent beauty centers. The water of springs located at an altitude of more than 400 meters is mineral and cold, and is more often used for drinking. At an altitude of between 400 and 100 m there are semi-mineral springs gushing from the bowels of the earth, and at an altitude of 100 meters and at sea level there are mineral and thermal springs, which are closest to the centers of the volcanic bowels. Natural wet saunas with moderate temperature are located in natural natural grottoes, where the thermal waters evaporate and the steam passes into the room through openings in the walls. Among the most famous thermal parks of the island is the Poseidon Gardens, located in the town of Forio in the bay of Citara. On the territory of this park there are: 20 outdoor and indoor thermal pools, a thermal sauna, special foot pools and hydromassage pools. Another picturesque park is Negombo Gardens, located in the Lacco Ameno resort in the beautiful San Montano Bay. The thermal pools of the park are located among the lush garden on the terraces of the rock. Also on the terraces, from where a breathtaking panorama of the sea opens, are the parks in Sant’Angelo – the Gardens of Apollo, Aphrodite and the Tropical. There are 12 thermal pools with different temperatures and a sauna in the grotto.
The natural thermal cosmetics of Ischia deserve special attention. Created on the basis of mud and thermal water in the laboratory of the Old Factory, which is located in the ancient palace of the XVIII century in the city of Forio. Mud comes from deposits of particles of minerals and rocks. The natural mud of Ischia is the main element of the Ischia Thermae thermal products. The healing mud of Ischia is formed from the rock of the dormant Epomeo volcano.
Cities and sights of Ischia
Aragonese castle (Castello Aragonese)– a symbol of the island, a majestic castle located on a volcanic rock in the sea, in the city of Ischia Ponte. The first mention of this defensive fortress, built by Hero I of Syracuse, dates back to 476 BC. In the 14th century, the Cathedral of the Ascension was built on this site, in 1438 the cathedral was rebuilt into a castle by Alfonso of Aragon, in the 17th century the population of the island of Ischia hid from pirates in the castle, and in the 19th century the Aragonese castle was badly damaged during the Neapolitan wars. Today the castle is a private property, but is open to the public. Here you can see the fortress tower, the frescoes of the school of Giotto in the crypt of the XIV century, the Church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary and other premises that have remained in the castle. It also offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.
Lacco Ameno (Lacco Ameno) – one of the most picturesque and popular resorts of the island, located in its northern part. It was here that in ancient times the Greek colony of Pitekuzu was located, as evidenced by the exhibits of the local archaeological museum. In addition to the wonderful nature, beautiful beaches and thermal springs, Lacco Ameno is famous for Fungo – an unusual mushroom-shaped rock rising from the sea.
Casamicciola is a thermal spa known since 1607. The famous Norwegian playwright Genirk Ibsen lived in the city, whose house-museum is located in Casamicciola. Nearby rises a dormant volcano – Mount Epomeo (789 m), where you can climb to admire the breathtaking panorama.
Forio (Forio)– a resort town, spread out under the slopes of Mount Epomeo. The Poseidon Gardens thermal park is located here, and the historical center houses medieval and baroque architectural monuments, such as the 15th-century Torrione tower or the Madonna del Soccorso Church, built in 1350. Also here is the legendary Villa La Colombaia, which belonged to the director Luchino Visconti.
Sant’Angelo and Serrara Fontana are towns on the south coast of Ischia. Sant’Angelo is located on the slopes of a mountain descending to the sea, and Serrar is distinguished by pretty buildings with pink facades, narrow streets, old churches and many restaurants, as well as the Apollo and Aphrodite and Tropical thermal parks.
