Ischia

Ischia - the largest island of the Gulf of Naples is an extinct volcano. Even if one cannot guess it, Ischia is an extinct volcano. The largest among the islands of the Gulf of Naples, in fact, was born in consequence of a series of eruptions, which followed over the centuries. Thanks to this, its surface slowly rose from sea level. Today, from the underground craters , which gave rise to it, only the edge of the largest one remains and it is identified to be the present Mount Epome. Just for its volcanic origins, Ischia, nowadays, is rich in those mineral and thermo-mineral springs, which, togethe with its many beauties, have contributed to make it famous worldwide. From another crater – open through a canal in 1854 – the Port was built, however this ‘marine’ intervention is not the only work done to enhance and develop the area. Long before – in 1438 – the Aragonese built the Bridge, which connects the town of Ischia to the islet, where rises the Castle (surrounded by four towers), the 14th century Cathedral, the former convent of the Clarisses (with a very peculiar cemetery, where the nuns were not buried, but laid down on masonry chairs) and the Church of the Immaculate. Among the towns that grew on ‘mother-island’, the most famous is Ischia town itself, although Lacco Ameno presents several fascinating aspects such as the the Archaeological Museum or the Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso and by the visit to the famous islet ‘Fungo’ (translated in English as "mushroom" once it is a tuffaceous small area with that shape). From Casamicciola, instead, visitors can enjoy the enrapturing landscapes from the view point Sentinella and from the road that connects Mount Rotaro to Mount Trippodi. Not less fascinating is Forio d’Ischia, where a visit to the Poseidon Gardens is granted. These gardens are located at one of the most beautiful beachs of the island and house a very modern thermal complex. Finally, the enchanting town of Sant’Angelo, situated between two suggestive bays, connected by a thin strip of sand. There, one can still see the ruins of a tower, destroyed in the early 19th century or enjoy the views offered by the wonderful gardens of Apollo and Aphrodite.