Our compatriots have long been fond of sunny and hospitable Italy. Many Russians are happy to spend their holidays in the magnificent and well-groomed resorts of this country. Today we will tell you about Ischia Island.
From the history of the island
The heyday and development of Ischia falls on the period of the Roman Empire. In these distant times, the city of Aenaria appeared. Today, at the place of its foundation, researchers and scientists find various objects of historical value. In the Middle Ages, the island of Ischia was a tidbit for the invaders, so the local population had to build observation towers around the perimeter.
Until the moment when the island became a full member of the united Italy, it was the property of the Napoleon family. According to historians, J. Garibaldi came here to improve his health.
Geographical position
Ischia is the largest island of volcanic origin in the Gulf of Naples. It consists of six administrative districts. The island is located at a distance of 14.8 km from the mainland, has a total area of 46 square kilometers, the length of the coast is 34 kilometers. The place is considered the most favorably located in the world.
The island of Ischia (the map clearly shows you this) is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, seven kilometers from the continent and forty kilometers from Naples. The main and most visited city of the island received the same name - Ischia. It is conditionally divided into two equivalent parts - Ischia Porte and Ischia Ponte. However, the largest city of the island is Forio. It is famous for its monuments that keep traces of the raids of the Saracens. The smallest town is Lacco Ameno. Tourists are attracted to this amazing reef, shaped like a mushroom.
If visitors want to get to another city in the country from the island of Ischia (Naples), the ferry will deliver them to this beautiful place in just an hour.
Reasons for the popularity of the island
Why do many people want to visit here? It is no exaggeration to say that the island of Ischia is one of the most visited resorts in sunny Italy. Perhaps because it is possible to spend here not only a luxurious vacation, but also an effective treatment.
Ischia Island is famous for its many radon hot geysers. Their waters mix with the sea, which gives a unique opportunity to swim here even in winter. This resort is designed for those who prefer a relaxing family vacation with children.
Transport
For outdoor enthusiasts, experts recommend staying in hotels and hotels in Ischia Porto or Casamicciola Bay. From here it is most convenient to get to Naples, Sorrento or Amalfi. It offers vacationers constantly cruising cruise boats.
In the old days there was a donkey trail on the island, which is now asphalted, turning it into 36 kilometers of an excellent roadbed. True, this road turned out to be narrow, so it is unlikely to be able to ride along with the breeze.
Resting on the island of Ischia, you can make excursions in other cities of Italy. Most often, tourists go to beautiful Naples.
Surely many are interested in the question of how to get to Ischia? There are several ways to do this. The fastest of them is to fly to Rome and transfer to the fast train going to Naples. The trip takes two hours. Then you need to take a taxi or bus from the station to the seaport, from there take a ferry or boat to the Ischia island. To save time, you can fly directly from Moscow to Naples from Moscow.
Ischia Thermal Parks
This is a place that attracts all the guests of the island. Often, tourists, once in the thermal park once, buy a subscription for a week. These unique centers are aimed at restoring the human body, relieving stress, rejuvenation without the use of medications and procedures.
In the park, anyone can visit the thermal specialized treatment centers, whose specialists will do professional massage, help you take thermal baths, and talk about mud therapy.
Thermal waters
Even the ancient Romans studied well the beneficial effects of thermal waters on human health. However, their most active development occurs in the sixteenth century. It was during this period that the physician J. Yazolino was engaged in the scientific study of thermal waters. It is important that this water is suitable for oral administration.
There are sources that knock to the surface in the sea and, of course, are accessible to everyone. These waters are saturated with phosphates, mineral salts, bicarbonate, bromine, aluminum, and iron. They are effective in the treatment of neurosis, arthritis, metabolic disorders, infertility, diseases of the respiratory system. It should be remembered about the existing contraindications - water is prohibited for people with diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Volcanoes
Everyone who comes to rest in Italy is always interested to see the volcanoes located on the island - Epomeo (788 m), Monte Vezzi (395 m), Trubotti (512 m). They are all sleeping. Their last active activity dates back to the fourteenth century. Today, only hot thermal springs and steam remind of those times.
It is only natural that Italians from ancient times learned to make medicines and cosmetics. Thermal water-based medications help treat spinal diseases, neuralgia, and some types of skin ailments.
Ischia Island Attractions
We recommend that you begin familiarizing yourself with the history of the island by examining the exposition of the Pithecus Archaeological Museum. Here are samples of objects from terracotta, bronze, exquisite painted vessels, household items of people who lived on the island many centuries ago.
Locals consider the main treasury of the island of Aragonese castle. It is located on a picturesque rocky shore. Its appearance is attributed to ancient times, however, in the Middle Ages they decided to rebuild it. Since that time, the castle has been connected to the dam island.
The dimensions of the building are impressive, its area is five hundred forty-three square meters, and its height is one hundred and fifteen meters. In ancient times, on its territory there were thirteen churches, which in the nineteenth century were destroyed by the British. Despite its complex history, today the castle is still a grandiose building, a magnificent monument of history and architecture.
The Cathedral of the Assumption of Our Lady suffered no less from the destruction. Despite this, the decorative elements of a luxurious chapel decorated with frescoes of saints have been preserved in it until our time.
The exposition of the Museum Lukino Visconti is completely devoted to the work of the great director. Numerous photographs and stage costumes are exhibited here.
Two fabulous hectares of land on which three thousand of the most diverse plants grow are the Mortella Gardens. They began to be created by the wife of the composer W. Walton. The garden is set by Monte Zaro Mountain. You can visit it from April to November.
Ischia possesses many unique monuments. The sights of the island are not only historical and architectural monuments. The island’s natural miracle is considered to be the largest thermal water complex - “Poseidon Gardens” in Chigara Bay, protected by UNESCO. There are eighteen pools with thermal water.
To imagine the beauty of these places, look at the photos of Ischia Island, which are presented in our article.
Beach vacation
There are a lot of excellent and well-maintained beaches on the island. All of them have their own characteristics. Some of them are paid. In addition, there are many public but well-equipped beaches. Almost every of them has a cafe, restaurant or pizzeria. Vacationers can rent a sunbed, an umbrella, swimming equipment.
On the island of Ischia, the beaches differ from others in the country by the presence of thermal springs. For example, on Kartaroman hot keys are beaten at the very shore, which allows even in winter to swim in warm water.
The largest beach is Marina dei Maronti. It stretches for three kilometers, also has its sources and healing mud.
Locals consider the most popular beach of Citara Beach. It is located at Mount Epomeo.
Island cuisine
The magnificent island of Ischia, a vacation on which you will remember for many years, is difficult to imagine without original national cuisine. What is its feature? The most popular and favorite dish of many vacationers is a fragrant and tender rabbit in Iskitan style. Many locals cook it on Sundays. Rabbits for this dish on the island are grown in natural conditions.
Kitchen in such places is impossible to imagine without fish and seafood. Ischia Island is no exception. It perfectly prepares sea urchin, squid, mussels, octopuses, mackerel, tuna.
For dessert, we recommend tasting an amazing rum woman. It is traditionally added Iskitan flavored lemon liquor.
Ischia wine is known outside of Italy. It is very fragrant thanks to spices - marjoram, rosemary and dill.
Where to stay
It's hard to believe, but on this small island there are more than two hundred and fifty hotels of different levels of comfort. How to choose the right one from them? Today we will introduce you to a few of them. Perhaps this will help you make the right choice.
Villa Ireos 3 *
This hotel is suitable for both business and leisure travelers. The rooms are equipped with high-speed internet, pets are allowed. Available: TV, internet, telephone, desk, crib. Free parking. The hotel has a good restaurant, a cozy bar, a nice lounge and a garden.
Grazia Terme 4 *
This hotel is located on a hill, in the center of the subtropical park, in the Lacco Ameno area. The rooms have a shower or bath, telephone, radio, TV. The hotel offers guests: a bar, a panoramic terrace and a pool bar, two artificial ponds filled with thermal water. For active guests there is a bowling alley, table tennis, tennis court.
Floridiana 4 *
Very comfortable hotel located in the quiet center of Ischia Porto, at a distance of 100 meters from the sea. Around the hotel there is a magnificent garden, in which luxurious pines and palm trees grow, underneath there are thermal pools with hydromassage. The hotel was built in 1900 and still retains the atmosphere of ancient hospitality. No visitor will be deprived of the attention of friendly staff.
The rooms are well equipped technically - air conditioning, telephone, TV, minibar, terrace or balcony. The hotel lobby is originally decorated, there is a large bar by the pool and on the terrace, there is a cozy restaurant offering delicious dishes of national and European cuisine. In addition, there is a well-equipped modern gym, an indoor thermal pool, and a beauty salon.
Regina Isabella 5 *
Magnificent VIP hotel with luxurious and elegant surroundings. It is located in a quiet area of Lacco Ameno, on the sea coast. All rooms have satellite TV, a safe, a telephone and a minibar. There are two restaurants by the sea, a TV room, a library, a beauty salon, a boutique, and a parking lot.
Sports activities are also provided - rental of various equipment for independent studies or, in the presence of an experienced instructor, various water sports. It offers guests billiards, table tennis.
Holidays in Ischia
If you arrive on the island in June, then on the twenty-ninth day you can become a participant in the solemn procession, which thanks the sea for its generous gifts.
On July 26, the inhabitants of the island solemnly celebrate the feast of St. Anne. On this day, fishermen and their wives and children gather at St. Anne's Church. Since ancient times, there is a belief that she patronizes women who are expecting a baby.
In honor of the holiday, there is a parade of boats beautifully decorated with flowers, various competitions are held, people relax on picnics.
On the twenty-sixth of August, the island celebrates St. Alexander's Day. The celebration is accompanied by a magnificent costume procession through the streets of cities. There is no doubt that a person who once visited the island of Ischia for many years will save vivid impressions of this charming place, where folk traditions and national sights are carefully protected not only by the state, but also by ordinary citizens.
It is rightly called the Green Island. Extraordinary landscapes will not leave anyone indifferent, and healing thermal waters will support health and emphasize beauty.