Ischia Guide

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© Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism © Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism © 2005 Netplan srl. All rights reserved. © Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism All material on this document is © Netplan. THE ISCHIA CITY GUIDE 1

Summary

THINGS TO KNOW

3 History and culture

THINGS TO SEE

4 Churches, Palaces and Monuments 5 Places and charm

THINGS TO TRY

6 Eating and Drinking 7 Shopping 8 Hotels and lodgings

THINGS TO EXPERIENCE

9 Events 10 La Dolce Vita

ITINERARIES

11 A tour around the island villages 13 Ischia’s best beaches

point of view: Until 1301, the island was wonderful Villa Arbusto in the borough of hit several times by the eruption of the Lacco Ameno. It is the home of archeological Epomeo, the last one in 1301. Once the findings that bear witness to the island’s Swabians had left the island, the French history from prehistoric times to the Roman era. The most important object is the famous and Spanish fought to rule the island. Coppa di Nestore (Nestore’s Cup) that is Over the next few centuries, mentioned in some verses of Homer’s Iliad. the population increased slowly, concentrating their dwellings along The Sea Museum (Museo del Mare) the coast. The island was divided into This museum is in Ischia Ponte and is housed six boroughs: Ischia, with the largest in Palazzo dell’Orologio. It the home for population, Casamicciola, partly an important collection of old nautical destroyed by the 1881 earthquake, instruments and fishing equipment, and also models of boats, sailing ships and fishing Lacco Ameno, Forio, Barano and boats that sailed from the island’s ports. Serrara Fontana. The island economy was based on The Farmer’s Museum (Museo del agriculture until the 19th century, which Contadino) was not intensive but which aimed to This interesting museum is in Panza provide a living for the people. The surrounding Forio, housed in the D’Ambra Ischia: Aragonese Castle exceptions were the lemon groves, the Ischia: Church of Soccorso wines factory. You can relive the real farmer’s vineyards and fishing. life on the island by looking at the objects in The first human settlements on the The island’s artistic and architectural the museum: from original equipment that The economic boom started in the island date back to VIII B.C., when the heritage: Mediterranean churches and the farmers used on the land to the wine Sixties, when island’s tourist potential Greeks landed on the island and founded fortified castles... amphora (terracotta containers) of all sizes. first became apparent: artists, poets the colony of Pithecusae (today known and actors fell in love with the splendid Church of Soccorso as Lacco Ameno), on Monte Vico. The Castello Aragonese climate, the crystal clear sea, the This tiny white-washed church is located in Castello Aragonese is one of the most striking colony soon became an important luxurious vegetation and the thermal a truly spectacular position: in the square on monuments on the island. It stands on a small commercial center for the Etruscans, spas that spilled out in many areas of the Punta del Soccorso in Forio, that looks island near Ischia Ponte. The castle can be the Phoenicians and the Egyptians who out onto the crystal clear sea. A typically the island. reached over a stone bridge. The small island came to purchase goods in ceramics, Mediterranean site of astounding beauty. is about 113 meters high and the climb can bronze, iron and other metals that were be made on an old mule track or by using worked on the island. Sanctuary of Santa Restituita a modern elevator that was installed in the After about 5 centuries, the island came The original structure of the church in Lacco seventies. The castle was built in 1441 by Armeno dates back to the Paleo-Christian era under the control of the Romans, who Alfonso D’Aragona on top of the ruins of an (4-5th century A.D.): The current basilica old fort that dated back to 474 B.C. This were the first to discover the benefits of was built around the year 1000 on top of the fortified castle was used to protect Ischia’s the thermal spas. remains of the first building. Over the years population from pirate attacks. In the 16th From the few remaining accounts of it has undergone some changes. the wooden century, almost 1900 families lived in the the Medieval period, we have learned statues of Santa Restituita, dating back to castle, as well as some religious orders who that Ischia was attacked by the Goths, 1500, that is kept in the church together lived in the 13 churches inside the fortress. the Lombards and the Normans and was with some of the saint’s remains, is worthy The charming place inspired Ariosto to write finally conquered by the Swabians who of note. the poem about Orlando Furioso. stayed in power for 100 years. A difficult The Archaeological Museum of Pithecusae history and not just from a political This interesting museum is housed in the

© Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism © Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism THE ISCHIA CITY GUIDE/ THINGS TO SEE 5 6 THE ISCHIA CITY GUIDE / THINGS TO TRY Places and charm Eating and Drinking

which is the smallest one on the island, there the high quality of the meat. Travelers with is an interesting geological phenomenon that a love for food who visit Ischia will not be is joined to the mainland by a narrow strip of disappointed by the “autarchic” cuisine land. It is a block of tufa rock 10 meters high where the dishes are full of fresh, genuine that has taken on the shape of a mushroom and strictly local ingredients. through years and years of being eroded away The island’s fertile soil has also produced by the water that laps against it. high quality wines for centuries, mainly from around Mount Epomeo, where the famous The Botanical Park in the Mortella Gardens wines of Ischia are produced: from the This wonderful park is located at Forio white wines of Forastera and Biancolella, to d’Ischia and was originally the property of the the red wines, Piedirosso and Guarnaccia. English composer William Walton, who lived Another of the island’s specialties is honey, in the Villa next door with his wife. When especially from the borough of Forio. It the composer arrived on the island in 1946, is made with the aroma of citrus fruits or he immediately called a botanical expert millefiori essence and is made by hand by the from England to lay out the garden, planting island’s bee-keepers. wonderful tropical and Mediterranean plants, some of which have now reached amazing proportions.

Ischia: the “Fungo” (Mushroom) at Lacco Ameno Faiano Pine Forest Ischia: Ischia’s cusine The island’s largest pine forest is located in From Mount Epomeo to the thermal spas: the borough of Barano, an ideal place for Ischia’s cuisine is full of special dishes that Ischia is full of nature oases... an afternoon trip amidst nature. This fresh, are prepared with typical regional and island regenerating oasis allows you to walk in the products. Before the boom in the 1960s, Ischia The Thermal Spas shade of the pine trees, the chestnut trees was a rather poor island, with an economy Ischia’s thermal spas tradition goes back a and oak trees that are interspersed with the that was based on fishing and agriculture. The long way: some bas-relief works are kept in characteristic Mediterranean perfumed trees island’s older inhabitants remember eating the National Archeological Museum in Lacco and masses of lava rock that make the whole bread and onions in this period, or “o ppane Ameno that date back to the Roman Empire, scene a magical, mysterious one. sotto ‘e fasule”, stale bread softened with which are proof of the fact that the water the sauce made from cooking beans. Another spilling from the island’s springs was used to Mount Epomeo typical characteristic dish that we can still cure various illnesses at that time too. This is the island’s highest mountain. It was find in the restaurants of Ischia, is pesce If you want to get psychologically-physically once an active volcano, that shook quiet Ischia all’acqua pazza, which was once prepared fit again, we recommend you take a dip in one life several times with its violent eruptions. with the leftovers of fish that were stuck to of the thermal spa pools in the Ischia hotels Luxurious vines and fruit trees now grow on the hook and cooked with garlic, chili pepper and then choose personalized treatments its fertile soil. If you want to climb Epomeo, and parsley, and which is now prepared with depending on your needs: thermal mud you can go up to a certain point in your car the better parts of anchovies, sardines and packs, massages or inhaling thermal vapors on an asphalt road, and then continue on foot mackerel. However, the island’s most famous – these are all perfect cures for respiratory for about 3 km. You will realize it was worth it typical dish is coniglio all’ischitana, cooked problems. If instead you are searching for when you reach the top: The view is amazing with a ditch rabbit, i.e. a rabbit that is bred direct contact with nature, you can try one of and you can see the church of San Nicola built in a ditch by the farmers until it is full size the island’s natural spas, where you can swim into the mountain’s green tufa rock as well as and that is then cooked in white wine, garlic, in thermal water mixed with sea water. the panorama spread out before you. cherry tomatoes and chili pepper and served on Sundays. This tasty recipe is so popular The “Fungo” (Mushroom) at Lacco Ameno that the ancient technique of breeding the In the thermal spa resort of Lacco Ameno, rabbits has been maintained to guarantee

accommodation for tourists visiting the island. The younger, more adventurous travelers can choose one of the campsite near the beach, so that they can enjoy a holiday amidst nature.

Ischia: shopping in Ischia Ischia: view of Ischia sea Shopping in Ischia can be classed into There are many kinds of accommodation two categories: local products and luxury available on the island of Ischia, for all accessories. The latter is not much different budgets and needs. If you want to stay in a from other towns: in fact, the island has place where you can spend time dedicated to several famous name boutiques filled with your well-being, you can choose from one of Italian and international fashions, mostly the several hotel in Ischia that have thermal concentrated in the trendy streets of Ischia pools and beauty farms. Porto: Via Roma and Corso Vittorio Colonna. They are spread around the island, but are Those interested in handcrafted objects can mostly concentrated in the six boroughs buy baskets, lampshades, hats and other and in particular in Ischia, Casamicciola and items made from plaited straw following an Forio. antique island tradition that has been passed There is no end of choice in the range of down the female generations. The use of categories of accommodation: the island has terracotta is also an antique island tradition: hotels from one-star to five-star classification. there are still craft shops today that sell If you are on a tighter budget, but you don’t handmade items such as vases, cups and want to go without comfort, you have two other ornaments. alternatives: bed & breakfast on Ischia, or Food and wines to purchase can instead be room renting. found in the several food and wine shops If you a planning a medium-long term stay where you can try the island’s traditional with all the family, the best thing to do is rent tastes and buy souvenirs to take home, such one of the splendid villas of Ischia. as the delicious citrus fruit or millefiori There is also the possibility to stay in rural honey or a few bottles of white Ischia wine country houses for food lovers: specialized such as Forastera and Biancolella. farms or wine-growing firms and breeders of ditch rabbits that have also set up

© Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism © Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism THE ISCHIA CITY GUIDE / THINGS TO EXPERIENCE 9 10 THE ISCHIA CITY GUIDE / THINGS TO EXPERIENCE Events La Dolce Vita

parades of traditional costumes, wine tasting, and night clubs, all first stops for a lively “fagiolate” (bean stew tasting), concerts and Ischia night out. The “piazzetta dei pini”, shows. surrounded by shops and lounge bars is the place to be for younger people. Festa della “Ndrezzata” – Easter Monday The “Festa della “Ndrezzata” is held in the village of Buonopane, near Barano every Easter Monday. The “Ndrezzata”, is a typical dance from the island. It is a kind of rhythmic, violent and picturesque fight where the dancers are dressed in traditional island costumes and fight each other with wooden swords.

Festa di Sant’Anna – 26 July The Festa di Sant’Anna is held on July 26th each year in the borough of Ischia. On that occasion, there is a sea parade of figurative boats from the island’s various boroughs and also from Procida, under the Ischia: Festa della “Ndrezzata” Castello Aragonese. The parade ends with a Ischia: Ischia Porto prize-giving ceremony and fireworks. In spring and summer, the various villages on The festival is watched by an enthusiastic If we speak of the “Dolce Vita” and think Ischia organize several events: most of them public. of Ischia, it immediately sends us back in are linked to religious festivals, that are an time, to the beginning of the 1960s, when important part of the island’s tradition and ForeignFilmFestival – June the island was discovered by an elite class of cultural identity. If you are planning to spend A cinema festival with premieres and tourists, thanks to Angelo Rizzoli, editor and a few days on the island in the period of one retrospective themes dedicated to films film producer who first realized the island’s of the events below, we recommend you book located in Europe, especially Italy. Ischia, for huge potential. Many films financed by his your hotel in Ischia well in advance, at least example, was one of the favorite locations production company were sent on location to one month before. for films made in Italy from the 1950s Ischia and many stars arrived on the island, onwards. Some of the films made here are for work or for enjoyment: Liz Taylor and Vinischia - July “Vacanze a Ischia” with Vittorio De Sica, the Richard Burton, Sofia Loren, Kirk Douglas, Ava An event that is entirely dedicated to food colossal “Cleopatra” with Richard Burton and Gardner, Burt Lancaster. Today, forty years and wine and Campania regional crafts. It Liz Taylor and the more recent film “The later, Ischia is still just as lively: Forio and has been organized each summer since 1999 Talent of Mr Ripley” with Matt Damon and Ischia are places with the most famous clubs at Torre Guevara at Ischia Ponte. Shows, Jude Law. on the island, but quieter, more intimate concerts and dances are organized around the places such as Sant’Angelo, a tiny village exhibitions and the food and wine tasting. where it is only possible to travel round on foot and which is nicknamed the “Positano Settembre sul Sagarato – August and d’Ischia” with its charming small square September overlooking the sea, is also becoming very A village festival has been organized every famous. The place with the largest social year since 1988 in Ischia, that is held in scene is Ischia Porto: as soon as the sun sets, Piazzale Battistessa, opposite the Church the right-hand side of the port, known as the of San Pietro. The festival lasts for two “Rive Droite”, fills up with people flocking weeks and is filled with painting exhibitions, to the restaurants, trattorias, wine bars

least two days to visit the town, discovering town from the Saracens, and the Sanctuary its artistic beauty and walking along the of Santa Restituita are two of the more beautiful beaches nearby. Some of Ischia’s interesting monuments. greatest attractions are Castello Aragonese, Torre Guevara and the Sant’Anna cliffs. Casamicciola Terme This town is I the north of the island and Barano was known in Roman times as a thermal Barano is in the south-west of the island and spa resort. It is still one of the most popular includes many villages that have a strong, tourist resorts today for this very reason. Many independent cultural identity, such as, for famous people have stayed in Casamicciola example, Buonopane and Piedimonte. to cure their aches and pains, including A traditionally farming community, Barano Giuseppe Garibaldi, Benedetto Croce, Henrik is known for the fertility of its soil and for Ibsen who wrote “Peer Gynt” here and the many fumaroles and hot water springs Alphonse Lamartine. Around Casamicciola nearby, like the one in the wonderful location you can relax on the beach or go on nature of Marina dei Maronti. trips, discovering the beautiful pine forest If you have a little time available, we known as the Bosco della Maddalena. recommend you make a trip to visit the village of Buonopane, famous for its bread- making as well as its “Ndrezzata”. The Ischia: Sant’Angelo fragrance of the bread can be smelt every morning in the streets and squares. The island of Ischia has a total surface area of 46.5 square kilometers including the Serrara Fontana boroughs of: Ischia, the largest, Barano, This Borough spreads from the sea to the top Serrara Fontana, Forio, Lacco Ameno and of Mount Epomeo, a height of 789 meters. It Casamicciola Terme, all standing on the has several areas, including Sant’Angelo. This island’s wonderful coastline. pedestrian village is at the top of Sant’Angelo If you decide to stay on Ischia for a few days, and has typically colorful houses and narrow we advise you to follow this itinerary so that streets reaching out over the sea. you can discover the history and culture of the island, together with its never-ending Forio natural beauty. Many people think Forio is the prettiest town There are several means of transport you can on the island. It is very characteristic and choose from: you can reach the island with enjoys a superb view. Winding lanes, tiny your car, taking the ferry from the port of white houses, a large Tower looking out onto Naples, or you can hire a car once you get the sea and many interesting churches. One there (or a scooter). of these is Santa Maria Visitapoveri, the Another choice is to move around using the ancient cathedral of San Vito and the Church efficient public transport service on the of Soccorso that stands on the point with the island. same name.

Ischia Lacco Ameno Ischia is the largest town on the island and is Lacco Ameno lies at the foot of Mount Vico, divided into Ischia Ponte, the older part, and near to Baia di San Montano. It is the smallest Ischia Porto Choose from among the hotels on borough on the island. The Aragon Tower, Ischia that best suit your needs and take at built in the 15th century to defend the

© Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism © Netplan - Internet solutions for tourism THE ISCHIA CITY GUIDE / ITINERARIES 13 14 THE ISCHIA CITY GUIDE/ Ischia Directory by Travelplan Ischia’s best beaches

thermal water springs that spill out on the Ischia web sites shore, allowing tourists to swim in the sea in winter too. Hotels & Lodging Art & Culture Marina dei Maronti - Barano 2 Two Stars Hotels - 3 Three Stars Hotels... Museums & Collections... The beach at Maronti is 3 km long and can be reached by taking a charming panoramic road Beauty & Health Eating & Drinking that starts in Barano and descends towards Thermal Baths... Restaurants... the sea. Another great way to reach the beach is to use a water taxi from the picturesque port of Sant’Angelo. The beach at Maronti is Entertainment Fairs & Events the largest on the island; it is full of thermal Pubs... Cultural Events... springs, natural spas and fumaroles. Institutions Internet Citara beach - Forio Tourism... Tourist Portals... This beach is at the foot of Epomeo, and is one of the most popular on the island. the crystal-clear water that laps the beach mixes Shops & Company Stores Top destinations with the thermal water spas in several points, Food Firms... Beaches... allowing you to bathe in the sea and reap the Ischia: Citara beach - Forio benefit of thermal water at the same time.

Our Ischia guide has prepared a tour of the Baia di San Montano – Lacco Ameno best beaches for you that allows you to travel This unusual beach, closed in between Servizi per le aziende Acquista la tua visibilità su Travel Plan right around the island starting from the Mount Vico and Mount Zaro, has unique borough of Ischia. We recommend you choose characteristics compared to the island’s other • Aggiungi il tuo sito • Pubbliredazionale two or three of our stop-off points and stay beaches. The clear sea water is very hot and in one of the several hotels on Ischia to enjoy the water is extremely shallow. • Inserzioni pubblicitarie • Offerte Speciali the sun and the sea with no rush. It would be • Quick Info • Live help best if you traveled by car: from Naples you • Prime posizioni • Siti web - Netplan can take a ferry to the island, or you can hire a car when you get to Ischia. You could also hire a scooter or a motorbike, so you have no parking problems.

Lido di Ischia This is just a short walk from the center and has several sandy beaches divided by rocks and pine forests. the most famous beach is the “Spiaggia dei Pescatori” that stretches out from Ischia Porto to Ischia Ponte.

Cartaromana beach - Ischia This beach is between the Castello Aragonese and the Sant’Anna cliffs. The beautiful beach also offers one of the best views of the island. Cartaromana is well-known for its natural hot

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