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IschiaIschia lies, in all its magnificent beauty, in the farthest end of the Gulf of Naples, not far from Procida and Vivara, in the Tyrrhenian Sea. The third most populated Italian island, after Sicily and Sardinia. Ischia has volcanic origins as formed itself after a long series of eruptions lasted something like 150000 years. The Mount Epomeo characterized by green tuffs rises at the centre and benefits the whole island with mild climatic conditions all over the year. The average temperature is 18°C even in winter, and 35°C in August, the hottest month. The thermal baths in Ischia have been renowned from the very ancient times. The first Euboaen colonizers (VIII century BC) used the thermal waters to strengthen soul and body rather than to cure the aftereffects of war wounds (in pre-antibiotic times!). The Romans brought profitably out the natural thermal springs (as shown by the the votive tablets found nearby Nitrodi's spring in Barano d'Ischia, where there used to be a small temple dedicated to Apollo and the nymphs Nitrodie, waters' protectors). The frequent eruptions have maybe cancelled every trace of "Thermae Publicae" and the decline of the Roman Empire clashed with the total abandon of the waters that lasted until the Renaissance, thanks to the impulse of the doctor Giulio Iasolino. Isolino was professor of geology at the University of Naples (end of XVI century), that wrote a treatise about the natural remedies in the Isle of Pinthecusa, today called Ischia. After the experiences of Iasolino, at the beginning of the XVII century, considering the large number of recoveries thanks to the thermal therapies, a group of noble Neapolitan philanthropists built "Pio Monte della Misericordia" a huge free access thermal establishment in Casamicciola. Between the XVII and XX centuries have been built many impressive resorts that have made the Isle of Ischia an international landmark for tourists coming to cure their diseases, in harness with nature and sea. There is a famous phrase written on Nestore's cup (found close to Montevico Lacco Ameno) that sings the praises of the local wine. The Ancient Euboaens, that colonized the island, introduced the production of the nectar of the gods and a special technique to cultivate it. You will find vineyards everywhere in the island, planted inside terracings of green tuff. The name maybe derives from the ancient Greek "Pithekoussai" - the island of monkeys - referring to the legend about the presence in Ischia of the Cercopes (legendary population coming from Beozia, transformed into mischievous forest monkeys by Zeus, because of their misdeeds and perjuries). According to Pliny the Elder's analysis, instead, the name might come form the Greek "pythoi" - referred clay pots and amphorae. The second interpretation is the most convincing one, because of the large flourishing production of pottery. You will love walking through the narrow streets of this paradise... Visit Villa La Colombaia and Giardini La Mortella in Forio d'Ischia, the Aragonese Castle in Ischia Ponte, Maroni beach in Barano d'Ischia, the volcanic promontory of Cretaio in Casamicciola Terme, the gorgeous Borgo Sant'Angelo in Serrara Fontana, and the splendid view of the touristic port from Lacco Armeno: you won't forget any of them! Other towns in the area: Anacapri, Barano d'Ischia, Capri, Casamicciola Terme, Forio d'Ischia, Isola di Vivara, Procida, Sant'Angelo di Ischia, Serrara FontanaYou might also be interested in reading about the following Ischia topics:
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