en.infoglobe.cz » Italy: Ischia Island – Place of Many Contrasts

Italy: Ischia Island – Place of Many Contrasts

Published: 26.4.2015
We are leaving the Gulf of Napoli beloved by artists. We are heading to a Mediterranean island which came to existence as a result of volcanic activity in the end of Tertiary. It has been forming for millions of years to the terrain formation we happen to know as Ischia.

More than four thousand years known island with fishery tradition that has been there since the Roman empire was of interest to Greek sailors. The Greeks influenced local culture. The island covers an area of 46,5 km². It is only about thirty kilometers away from active volcano of Vesuvius and the island of Capri .

Ischia

The land is citrus tree fertile. You will likely taste some citrus liquors during some expedition. Volcanic activity means that there is about one hundred of mineral springs, sometimes of even 90 °C. This is the main reason why thousands upon thousands of tourists travel on the island every year. You can find there thermal spas in beautiful gardens, or carved into rocks, or in the underground. Other underground spaces have a lot of mud left to mature in mineral springs. Then such mud is used for cosmetic products.

Ischia

One of the main crops is also wine. Volcanic massif is used to store it for cellars are easy to dig there. Blocks of lava were used to built not only human dwellings but also nests for birds. Also, this led to construction of L'Arca resembling a boat. And local specialty? A rabbit ala Ischia (a wild rabbit).

restaurace L'Arca

Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte

These are two districts of the capital. Porto – a bay was a volcanic lake mere 150 years ago. It is here where the life begins. World famous Excelsior hotel, famous thanks to Hollywood movie "Avanti!" is located by the park, in a silent place. In huge La Mortella garden are to be found plants of five continents, and other interesting flora and buildings. Castello Aragonese - a hard to miss castle was built in the Middle Ages as a refuge before Barbarian rides. It was an unconquerable fortress later used as a prison. Todays shape of the castle is from the 15th century. And at the end of the 15th century, the town Ischia Ponte emerged among fishermen houses. On the way to Forio you pass by an interesting formation known as Fungo (mushroom) decorating the shoreline by the harbor and to be seen on every postcard depicting Lacco Amena. Even there you can find - Negombo.

Ischia, Fungo

Forio

It is the largest town of the west coast. The town used to be referred to as a town with a tower and it guarded the people against pirates. Thanks to early message the people hid in caves or 14 towers. There are 16 churches, all of the Roman-Catholic. Kind of unique is Santa Maria del Soccorso church built in the 13Th century. The church has a chapel and is also depicted in the movie. Its location sparked many metaphors. For sailors it is a white specter between blue color of the skies and heaven, and a warning sign of nearing rocks in the night. In Forio, there is the most popular thermal park on the island - Poseidon’s Gardens (4000 m²). 25 pools under clear sky. Water temperature is between 25 to 40 °C. Architects made a mix of traditional 2000 years old healing methods with modern equipment. Moreover, they inserted it to a volcanic slope. Cascade pools have sometimes massage noozles. You can try also cave saunas, inhalations, Kneipp lakes, mud packs, or boutiques and restaurants.

Ischia, Poseidonovy zahradyIschia, Poseidonovy zahrady

Sant'Angelo

Romantic and the southernmost place – a small island – is joined with the fishermen’s village with y sandy road. The village has become a VIP center to tourism. It is the most beautiful place on the island. Fishermen set sails from there. Today they are yachtsmen or boat taxi. From there you can also get to the thermal springs of Aphrodite.

Ischia, Sant'Angelo

Buildings are constructed in a way not to interrupt natural sceneries and magic of bays. Every hotel has a thermal pool, and sometimes even a balneocenter. Space is really precious there.

When climbing Monte Epomeo (789 m), the highest peak of the island, you will understand why the island’s alias is “green island”. You can rent a mule but it wouldn’t take you to the very top. The volcano is allegedly a residence of gods. Its last eruption in 1301 resulted in southeast part of the island to be flooded with lava. At the place where nymphs were supposed to live, locals found a drinkable thermal spring. From there, enjoy a beautiful vista of the land and the Gulf of Napoli.

Ischia, Santa Maria del Soccorso church

You can learn about island’s history in Museum Villa Arbusto with very precious Cup of Nestor which is abou 2000 years old. Also, a stone aqueduct from 17th century built in antique style has been preserved. It was used to feed the island with drinking water from mountains. Unfortunately, it is not operating in the present.

And the weather on Ischia? Warm autumn with low precipitations, about 7 °C in winter, and about 35 °C in summer. Most days are sunny, only there are higher precipitations in spring.

Text and photo: Monika Babická



Discussion at the article (0)


Related Articles

Italy, Milano – In Verdi's Footsteps: The Temple of Music La Scala
Published: 13.6.2018
When you visit Italy, you have to taste some of the local delicious cuisine. But as food art also is an integral part of the soul of this country. Italians live with music, and the visit to the Apennine Peninsula can‘t not go without a seeing musical performance. And what is more than the world-famous La Scala opera house?

Italy, Following Verdi – Busseto and Sant'Agata
Published: 30.5.2018
We haven't left Busseto yet. We moved from its center to the outskirts of the city and to Sant'Agata three miles away. There is a farmhouse where fill the missing pieces of our knowledge of Verdi's life.

Italy, Amalfitana – Enjoyin Sun in the South of Italy III
Published: 2.2.2018
On this day, we visit Amalfitana, the beautiful region along the Tyrrhenian Sea, again.

Italy, Mantova – Pearl of Italian Renaissance
Published: 9.8.2015
Towns and cities in northern Italy ensure its world fame and attention of many art enthusiast. These towns were built during the 14th and 16th centuries by rich townsmen and fans of antic culture. The word renaissance is derived from Italian word rinascito (rebirth), i.e. renewed admiration of art, literature and values of antic Rome.

Italy, Gargano Peninsula – A Spur of an Italian Shoe
Published: 2.8.2015
Mountainous, green Gargano peninsula is located in Puglia, a south-Italian region. Except for holidaymakers, the peninsula is popular among European botanists for there are up to 85 species of orchid, and remains of Mediterranean forest known as Foresta Umbra.

Italy, Arco – Boulders under Mountain Colodri’s East Side
Published: 31.8.2015
Arco is a paradise for climbers in Italy. There are more than 20 climbing areas of varying difficulties and lengths. Everybody, boulders or fans of ferratas, will love the place. The town is a very pleasant place. Its picturesque town center has many restaurants and also climbers’ stores. A castle is the main landmark of Arco. It guards the town from the heights.

Italy, Bolzano – Ötzi’s City II.
Published: 21.8.2015
Picturesque city. Even though these two words don’t usually come along in case of Bolzano they do.

Italy, Bolzano – Ötzi’s City I.
Published: 14.8.2015
Bolzano is a center of Tridentsko-Horní Adiže region. In four years, it will be centennial commemoration of the time when this once Austrian-Hungarian territory known s Deutschsüdtirol was annexed by Italy.

Italy: Capri – A Synonym for Luxury
Published: 12.1.2013
This national reservation located only few kilometers from Naples is a place with top-class services for demanding customers is also a place where top companies have their representation. On a small area live quite lot of inhabitants prospering from tourism.

Italy: Alpentrip III. - A Visit to the Ice Man
Published: 26.8.2012
The third part of our journey through the Alps we will talk about Bolzano city, whose greatest attraction became the figure of a man from the Chalcolithic period, whose remains, along with the extremely interesting part of the exhibition exposition South Tyrolean Archaeological Museum.

Italy: Murano – the Venice islands
Published: 26.9.2011
The Venice lagoon is allegedly hiding 118 large and small islands. Some of them are mutually connected by bridges, and from ancient times were created interesting settlements, protected by deep water and treacherous swamps from enemies. Some islands lies a little sideways from the historical monuments in the heart of Venice, but lots of them it is nice to visit yet.

Italy: Lago di Garda - Arco – Nago
Published: 27.7.2013
Nago is only one of many rocky formations in this area which offers great climbing. This formation offers more than 135 roads of various difficulties (from 4a to 7c+).

Italy: Alpentrip II. – Cross Brenner To The South Tyrol
Published: 19.8.2012
The second part of the journey takes us through the Brenner Pass to the South Tyrol, to a red wine, spirit and memory of K. H. Borovský.

Italy: Genoa – A Promise of a Romantic Vacation
Published: 20.6.2014
Today we continue in our walks through Genoa, one of the main cities of Italian culture and history. In the last weeks we have learned something on Piazza Ferrari or Piazza Giacomo Matteoti. Today we look at another parts of the city, hopefully we help you to get in the mood for the summer and give you inspiration for prospective vacation.

Italy: Venetian Islands - Burano
Published: 10.10.2011
The most visited islands in the Gulf of Venice is a picturesque island Burano. Although it is not famous by such historic landmarks as Venice itself, where tourists are attracted especially colorful atmosphere quiet town and local products lace tradition.


Related Photogallery

Italy: Gargano peninsula in Alalia
Shores of the Gargano peninsula has up to 50-meter high limestone cliffs with caves and white bea...

Italy - the Island of Ischia
Water treatment in nature of a green island. This is why thousands of turists come here. Sometime...

Italy: One evening in Venice
One summer evening in Venice... Foto: Jan Chaloupka, July 2012

Italy: Pompeii
Welcome to Pompeii, a city that was the pride of the Roman Empire and finished by natural disaste...

Place

Czech republic

Partners:

We were awarded the certificate even thanks to you!

Dôveryhodná firma 2017

 

Guide:

Important Information:

Information and warnings on travelling abroad is to be found HERE.

Mobile application:

aplikácia Infoglobe

stiahnuť zadarmo pre Androidstiahnuť zadarmo pre iPhone

 

 

Today:friday 29. 3. 2024
Holiday:Taťána
Today:
friday 29.3.
6 °C
Tomorrow:
saturday 30.3.
11 °C

TIP: INFOGLOBE app is available for your device, download HERE.

X

TIP: INFOGLOBE app is available for your device, download HERE.

X