Ischia
Ischia Island is the largest and one of the most picturesque islands of the Neopolitan Gulf, located seven kilometers from the Italian mainland. Its territory is administratively part of the province of Naples and the Campania region. The island has an area of 46.3 km². Ischia’s shores are washed by the Tyrrhenian Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean Sea. Ischia is often called the “Emerald Isle” for its abundance of lush greenery – pine forests, forests and gardens.”
Video: Ischia Island
Contents- Highlights
- Island Thermae
- Climate
- Beaches
- Resort Infrastructure
Ischia Attractions - Island Festivals
- Features of Ischitan cuisine
- What to bring from the island
- How to get there
Highlights
Island Thermae
The Iskitan thermal parks have long been a favorite destination for visitors to the island. These parks are specially equipped and landscaped areas with several pools of thermal water. All day long, the water in them is subjected to constant purification. And when the parks are closed to visitors in the evening, the pools with thermal water are completely cleaned.
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Beaches
The beach of Marina dei Maronti was popular with pirates. Due to the nature of the seabed, they could approach their ships right up to the shore. According to surviving legends, pirates used to hide their looted treasures in the surrounding hills.
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To get to the beach Marina dei Maronti from the port of San Angelo by sea cab or overland by bus number 5, 10 and 11. It is also convenient to reach the beach by car on the road leading to Testaccio. In this case, travelers can use the guarded parking lot near the beach.
.Another beach popular with visitors to Ischia is located at the foot of Mt. Epomeo, near Punta Imperatore and is called Citara Beach. It is famous for its exceptionally clear waters and the proximity of the thermal springs of the “Gardens of Poseidon.”
Not far from the suburb of Ischia Ponte is the 300-meter long beach of Cartaromana. It is very popular with vacationers, thanks to the hot springs that go directly into the sea. Near this beach it is interesting to take unusual baths and to go underwater diving.
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Resort infrastructure
Ischia is characterized by a busy tourist life. On the island built many hotels, tourist attractions, night discos and clubs, taverns, restaurants, pizzerias, souvenir stores and small stores. And all this is surrounded by beautiful beaches, as well as dense groves and gardens.
.Administratively, the island is divided into the districts of Serrara, Ischia, Forio, Barano, Lacco-Ameno and Casamicciola. Forio is the largest town of Ischia. It is home to the popular Poseidon’s Gardens thermal park. The coastline in this part of the island is heavily indented with small coves, so you can find quite a few cozy beaches for a secluded rest.
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The seaside town of Serrara is very beautiful and is near the small fishermen’s village of Sant’Angelo. Painted in various shades of pink small houses, modern comfortable hotels, narrow streets, temples, restaurants and small boutiques attract many travelers to this part of Ischia. Especially since there are two thermal parks near the town.
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Sights of Ischia
One of the main attractions of the island is considered to be the Aragonese Castle, located on an islet of volcanic lava 220 meters from the southeastern part of Ischia. Alfonso V of Aragon erected this picturesque fortress on the rocky cliffs in the middle of the XV century. However, it did not appear on an empty place. Historians know that the medieval castle was preceded by earlier buildings, the first of which appeared on the island in 474 B.C. Aragonese castle served as a place of refuge for the inhabitants of Ischia during the attacks of sea pirates.
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The ancient town of Forio is no less loved by visitors to the island. It is talked about as one of the most enchanting places of Ischia. Narrow streets and winding alleys still remind of the pages of medieval history. Forio’s trademark is the snow-white Church of Our Lady of Help, which rises high above the sea. It is so laconic and beautiful that many people rightly consider it one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. The architecture of the Christian church, built in the XVIII century, traces the traditions of Moorish and Greco-Byzantine architecture. And the church square offers a panorama of the city streets and a great view of the sea coast.
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In the historic center of Forio there are 12 ancient fortress towers that once served as watchtowers. They were built and fortified from the ninth to the eighteenth century and had cannon armament to repel enemy attacks from the sea.
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Features of Ischitan cuisine
Island cuisine is very similar to Neopolitan cuisine, but retains its own peculiarities. In almost all restaurants here you can try deliciously cooked rabbit Iskitan-style. This dish is considered to be a traditional meal of the locals during Sunday lunches. Rabbits are raised naturally on the island itself.
.Bread in Ischia is very fragrant, because here it is baked in the old tradition – in wood-fired ovens. Italian cuisine is unthinkable without pasta, and the island likes to use a special sauce for it, for which they grow small round tomatoes – “piennoli”, which have a pleasant sweet and sour taste.
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What to bring from the island
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Choosing souvenirs has never been a problem for travelers visiting Ischia. The islanders are known throughout Italy as excellent craftsmen of coral jewelry, as well as woodwork and wrought iron. On the island you can buy excellent brightly colored ceramics and majolica. A special assortment and inexpensive prices for such products is distinguished by the store at the old Manella ceramic factory, where you can buy elegant dishes and jewelry. In addition, many tourists try to take away from the island local delicacies – liqueurs “limoncello” and “ruccolino”, specially packaged rum babas and bottles of fine Iskitan wine.
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The island of Ischia has a developed production of natural cosmetics, so as souvenirs travelers take with them aromatic soaps, rejuvenating masks and nourishing creams, in the manufacture of which are used fragrant island herbs and healing mud from the thermal springs.
.How to get there
Ferries and speedboats run from Naples and Pozzuoli to the island of Ischia. The distance of 40 km ferries cover in an hour. There are also boats from Capri and Procida to Ischia. The main island ports are located in Ischia-Porto, Forio and Casamicciola. Private boats usually dock at Sant’Angelo and Lacco-Ameno.
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