Ischia

Ooaj Travel Guide, tourism, hotel reservation, residence, plane, cheap pension for you holidays in ischia

Free Travel guide Ooaj.com A free travel guide for holidays. Hotels in ischia, Bed and Breakfast!

Europe : Merranean Europe : Italy : Ischia

Ischia is an island near Naples. Considered one of the most beautiful and biggest islands in the Gulf of Naples. It is one of the more famous seaside and thermal centres of Italy.

Island of Ischia - Castello Aragonese

Citara Beach - Forio d'Ischia

Cities

Ischia is also the name of the main city on the island.
- Ischia Ponte
- Ischia Porto
- Forio

Other destinations

Barano
Casamicciola
Lacco Ameno
Sant'Angelo
Serrara Fontana

Understand

The island of Ischia shows a compact rounded shape with a varied morphology.

On the island there aren't superficial water courses; the hydromineral resources mainly concern plentiful thermomineral sources in existence all over the land. Those particular waters are one of the most important resources of the island; their beneficent characteristics permitted the development of thermal industry and tourist development of the island.

The conformation of the island originated different environments: on the northern hills there is a luxuriant vegetation, chestnut, holm-oak, oak-tree woods; on the southern side the low vegetation of the Merranean maquis covers the slopes and the deep creeks that from the inner side leaning the pine-forests present on the east side into the Ischia and Casamicciola communes toward the sea typical and particular are.

Ischia, the 'green' island. The ancients called it Pitecusae.

Today, the island of Ischia is a well-known tourist centre for four main reasons. Firstly, for its unequalled natural beauty, secondly, for its all-year-round mild climate, thirdly for its thermal water, and lastly for its modern tourist facilities and hotels.

Try approaching the island from the mainland (connections with the mainland). The island does not have at all that typical appearance of a large arid rock in the middle of the sea. Rather, it rises from the water like a vision - as though it were a large ship festooned for a party, whose sides, decks, portholes, shrouds, masts and all its other components are decorated with green. Even the peaks of the smallest rocks along the coastline are covered in rich vegetation. Ischia's 'greenness' can even be found in the stones - for example, the famous 'green tufa' found in the Forio area, whose stones make up the beautiful and unique parracine (dry stone walls) that punctuate the vineyards' thick green expanses.

However, the greenery does not hide the natural beauty of the lay of the land. Ischia has a very varied landscape, including mountains, isolated hills, majestic promontories, slopes, plains, and brows of hills, all of which can easily be seen from the magnificent terrace of the Soccorso in Forio from which the incredible beauty of Mount Epomeo can be enjoyed.

The chalk white of the island houses which gives the scene the magic touch of man's presence can be glimpsed among the limpid green of the vineyards, the bluish green of the olive groves and the dark green of the orange and lemon groves.

Notice the clear blue sea which still today surrounds the beautiful island of Ischia with its clean waters! Empedocles' four elements - water, fire, air and earth - can be found on the island of Ischia. Ischia is an incredibly beautiful island lying under a blue sky in the middle of a still unspoiled sea, held up by the fires of its dormant volcano (Epomeo), which makes its presence felt via the many 'geysers' and the mineral springs found all over the island.

However, the natural beauty of Ischia does not finish there. Everything from the sea to the mountain - including its harbours, the small bays, its convenient beaches and ports, the high rockface along its coast, the vegetation, the variety of the plant life, the pine trees and the myriads of multi-coloured flowers - make Ischia one of the most beautiful islands of one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

History

From ancient times Ischia was considered a very interesting area both for its good position into the Merranean Sea and for the richness of its territory. During the VII century b.C the island was colonized by the Greek, the Eubei population, and they called it Phitekoussai. From here they made the coast conquest and founded Cuma and Neapolis. They settled down in Lacco Ameno, in Montevico area. Actually we know with security their main activity was the pottery production and its trade. Afterwards in about 500 b.C. the island was conquered by the Syracusans which chased the Hellenic people. Phitekussai was destroyed and the island suffered several dominations, among which the Roman who gave it to the Neapolitan kingdom exchanging it with Capri. Under the Roman colonization it was called Aenaria and its centre became the Cartaromana's area in Ischia Ponte. Unfortunately, after a rapid ground settling it was flooded with the sea water. From the IX century started the terrible invasions of Saracens, the raids of the Turkish and the Africans, which lasted seven hundred years. On this period the people of the gulf built outposts, towers and a signaling visual system from the Sorrento peninsula to Cuma warning the enemies arrival.

The island's inhabitants were obliged to escape towards its interior, where they built some shelters on tufa rocks that can be see still nowadays. On the following periods Ischia was dominated by different populations: the Normans, the Swabians, the Angevins and at last the Aragonese, with whom the Avalos' family gave to the isle a quiet period and a renewed economy. Their domination became gradually a vexation; so on 1729 when Michelangelo d'Avalos died there was an authentic rebellion. The result was a direct administration by the sovereign house of Naples and it so remained until the unity of Italy.

Ischia in the movies

The Italian cinema system has been interested in the island of Ischia when it was not well-known as a tourist resort as it is nowadays. Many movies were filmed on the island; some of them show the name of Ischia already from their title: for example, Vittorio De Sica was the guest-star of ?Vacanze ad Ischia? (1957) , in which he was walking around wearing charming white suits, Domenico Modugno and Mina performed in ?Appuntamento ad Ischia? (a movie dating to 1960). The island of Capri has been as well a cinema set, and although its name occurs many times in movie titles, most of them were actually filmed on Ischia surroundings without mentioning the real location and pretending it was a tropical island. That is the case of ?Il corsaro dell?isola verde?, star role Burt Lancaster. Many star-system people, as well as directors chose Ischia as their elective residence, such as Luchino Visconti, who used to stay at Villa della Colombaia, in Forio, which hosts nowadays a foundation whose purpose is cultural promotion of cinema, theatre and music, an exhibition about Luchino Visconti?s life and works, an international cinema & theatre school, many artists? exhibitions, and the headquarters of an international cinema award, the so-called ?Gattopardo d?oro?, to remember the Luchino Visconti?s great masterpiece. There are some other associations engaged in cinema promotion such as Circolo Georges Sadoul, whose activity concerns organization of cinema reviews, conferences, seminars for teachers and students, exhibitions, a language school and a cimema history and critic school. Members can borrow books and magazines, as well as video-tapes from the greatest Classics of the silent cinema until contemporary movies. A review is ed every four months by the Circolo with the name of ?Scheria? as well as a series of books with the name of ?La coppa di Nestore? in co-operation with the Italian Institute of Philosophic Studies, which collect records from seminars, essays about the island and so on. The latest initiative about cinema promotion, is the foundation of an International Academy, Accademia Internazionale d?Arte Ischia, which is engaged in co-operation with Istituto Luce and the Hotel Regina Isabella, in the organization of an international event, which will take place from the 13th to the 18th July. The programme foresees a series of conferences and movies showing focusing on the changes occurred in the cinema industry. The director Luis J. Horvitz will participate in the event as the most famous events director in the world, well known for the creation of the TV arrangement of the Oscar ?s night as well as the Emmy awards show; in the occasion of his visit to Ischia, he will present a special about Robert De Niro during the first ion of the Global Film &Music Fest of Ischia. Seminars will concern debate on ?Digital tecnologies, web and Umts: the last revolution in audio-video sector?. Movie showings will concern mainly the relationship between music and cinema by presenting many examples of musicals. Moreover, there will be music exhibitions, previews and reviews, debates on films making and distribution in the time of digital technologies.

Climate

Ischia's climate is most comfortable for the traveller from April to October. That said, the weather in Ischia is changeable and visitors should expect both sunshine and rain, whatever the season. Summer, the main season, combines long daylight hours with lengthy evenings. Winter can be bitterly cold, with short daylight hours. Ischia has an abundance of outdoor attractions and activities that make in the summer season.

Flora and fauna

Ischia?s rich vegetation , is why the island has been called ?the green island?. Due to the weather, hot and dry in summer, mild in winter, and to the fertility of the volcanic ground, on the island typical merranean plants thrive all over as well as sub-tropical and tropical species, like those that can be admired in the varoius gardens and parks.

Ischia Flora on the beach

Diversity and beauty of plant life characterize the island: on the Southern side, due to the continuous exposition to the sun, water penetrated into the ground is quickly absorbed, so vegetation is mainly represented by cactus-like and agave plants (only in the rocky coves, you can see examples of merranean woods). In order to support hot temperatures, plants are provided with systems that allow them to survive, like deeply extended roots which can absorbe water from high deepths, or a water-proof covering stopping transpiration. Some plants transform their leaves into thorns to resist to hot weather. On the Northern side, sheltered by the Epomeo, the flat land makes sun rays less strong and water can be retained longer into the soil :so plants can thrive: here you can find chestnut-trees, and typical merranean trees like holm-oak, cypress, cork-trees; since longtime human work added almond-trees, vines, olive-trees. You can find also kitchen gardens, citrus orchards, between vegetables plantations: the small typical tomatoes, basil, hot peppers which constitute the basis of the local gastronomy; vines plantations originate vintage wines; lemons are used in preparing ?limoncello?, the typical lemon taste spirit well known all over the world.To be mentioned, the pine-forests, suitable for walking, excursions and now used a centre for cultural events, situated nearby Ischia town centre. The pine-forests are four parks, developed since the volcanic eruption in 1302; after five centuries, the Botanic Garden ? s director, Dottor Gussone, planned the restoration and the reforestation of the area.Now, the development & conservation programme includes concerts, expositions, conferences, cimema showing, sport competitions. To be mentioned: ?Pineta dei fiori?, ?Pineta dei ragazzi? and ?Pineta degli atleti?.Among the naturalistic attractions of the island, there is the botanical park ?La Mortella?, situated in Forio, which was once, the Sir William Walton?s Residence. The English contemporary composer passed a long time on the island, and with the help of his wife restored the garden which now attracts many tourists and hosts concerts on each Saturday and Sunday (only in summer)

Talk

Italian.

Get in

By plane

No airports on the island. From the airport of Naples Capodichino it is possible to reach by taxi one of the two harbours of Naples in 20-30 minutes; there is also a bus line, which connects directly with the harbour of Napoli Beverello.

Air Low Cost

low cost airlines for arrival in Ischia by Naples or Rome airports are:

EasyJet (http://www.easyjet.com)
Ryanair (http://www.ryanair.com)
German Wings (http://www.germanwings.com/)
Air Berlin (http://www.airberlin.com)
Hapag-Lloyd Express (http://www.hlx.com/en/index.html)

By car

From Rome (A1) - From Bari (A16) - From Salerno (A30)

It is better to follow the road markings for the Tangenziale (bypass) (exit No. 12) and to go on towards Pozzuoli. Then please go out at the Via Campana (exit No. 12) and go on towards the Harbour of Pozzuoli (ferries only), which is about 4 km far away. You can also reach the harbour of Naples Beverello (both ferries and hydrofoils). You don't have to turn into the Tangenziale, but to follow the road markings for the Zona Portuale (Harbour area) and, after the exit, to go on for the harbour, which is about 5 km far from the highway.

By train

There are no direct trains to Ischia. There are four available railway stations to reach one of the harbours of Naples:

Napoli Campi Flegrei. From this station it is easy to reach the harbour of Mergellina by taxi, bus, tram or underground. Mergellina is approximately 3 km away from the railway station.

Napoli Mergellina. This station is more or less 200 m far from the harbour of Mergellina.

Napoli Centrale or Napoli Piazza Garibaldi. Both stations enable you to have an immediate access to Piazza Garibaldi, which is around 4 km far from the harbour of Napoli Beverello and easily reachable by taxi, tram or bus.

By boat

Boat and Hydrofoil

Alilauro Hidrofoil

From Naples Beverello to Forio

08:00 (to Alilauro) (weekdays) 09:35 (to Alilauro) (except Saturdays - via Ischia) 10:30 (to Alilauro) (via Ischia) 14:35 (to Alilauro) 17:00 (To Alilauro)

Form Naples to Forio

19:00 (A ALILAURO) (weekdays - via Ischia)

Get around

By bus

The quite good public bus service connects the various urban centres of the island through frequent journeys, most of them having their terminus in the town of Ischia Porto close to the harbour. The fare for a single journey (valid 90 minutes) is ? 1.20, but is also possible to purchase tickets with a longer validity at cheap prices. These tickets can be bought at very numerous shops (notably newsstands, bars, travel agencies and tobacconist's).

See

Thermal Gardens

Poseidon Thermal gardens and Resorts

Poseidon Garden - Forio d'Ischia

The attraction of this Thermal Park in the enchanting setting of the bay of Citara in Forio in Ischia is unique and fascinating. 22 pools ( Thermal, Kneipp, ocean-water ) have been installed according to latest tecnical and medical knowledge. The water - temperature vary from 28� C to 40� C (82� F to 104� F ) and the abundance of water means that it is constantly renewed - a totally unique procedure. A Roman Sauna and a large private beach is equipped with deck-chairs and beach - umbrellas, various restaurants of which one is situated in a beautiful grotto of local tuff-stones and a boutique with a newspaper-kiosk complete this extraordinary establishment.

Villas, Parks and Museums

Villa La Colombaia (Lacco Ameno - Forio) - The Villa, surrounded by a superb park, was the residence of the movie director Luchino Visconti. It is now the seat of the cultural Institution dedicated to Visconti, which is involved in cultural activities promotion such as music, cinema, theatre, art exhibitions, work-shops, cinema reviews. A museum dedicated to Luchino Visconti will be open soon. The Villa and the the Park are accessible to public visits.

Villa La Mortella - (Forio - San Francesco) -

La Mortella Gardens - Forio d'Ischia
This wonderful park is located at Forio d?Ischia and was originally the property of the English composer William Walton, who lived in the Villa next door with his wife. When the composer arrived on the island in 1946, he immediately called a botanical expert from England to lay out the garden, planting wonderful tropical and Merranean plants, some of which have now reached amazing proportions.

The Castle - Castello Aragonese (Ischia Ponte) - Castello Aragonese is one of the most striking monuments on the island. It stands on a small island near Ischia Ponte. The castle can be reached over a stone bridge. The small island is about 113 meters high and the climb can be made on an old mule track or by using a modern elevator that was installed in the seventies. The castle was built in 1441 by Alfonso D?Aragona on top of the ruins of an old fort that dated back to 474 B.C. This fortified castle was used to protect Ischia?s population from pirate attacks. In the 16th century, almost 1900 families lived in the castle, as well as.

Guevara Tower - Ischia Ponte - The tower represents as well as the Castle one of the best known symbols of the island. It is called Guevara or Michelangelo?s Tower and is rising in front of the Castle, surrounded by a lawn and facing Sant?Anna rocks. The tower has been rebuilt on the ruins of an ancient fortress: it is likely one of the defence towers built from the XV century to protect the Castle islet ant the coast against enemies?raids. The tower derives its name from the Dukes of Guevara who were the ownwers since the beginning of 1800. Its second name derives from a groundless legend which tells that the world famous artist Michelangelo, who was a friend of the poetess Vittoria Colonna, stayed in the tower when he was visiting the island. The tower is nowadays used as arts exhibition centre.

Il Torrione - Forio - Many towers have been built in the past along Ischia coastline to get better sight of the sea around the island . Since the IX century, they used to be built in order to defend the island against raids of pirates. Then, starting from the XVI century, these fortresses were equipped with cannons and fire weapons to be used against Saracens. One of those tower, called ?Torrione? still now existing, is located in Forio, nearby the harbour. It was built in 1480, has two floors: the ground floor had not access from outside and was used as weapons and munitions storage, there was also a rain-water tank; on the upper floor there was the Garisson?s accommodation (about 10 people) led by a ?torriere? that had the task of promptly taking sight of any enemy ship and sounding the alarm. On the top , there was a terrace provided with four cannons. Historians notice that many similar towers were built in Forio until the XVIII century, although many of them were used as private residence of noble families. 16 similar fotresses have been counted in all between 1480 and 1700, plus five more towers built in the district of Panza, some with a squarred base and others with a circular base. Many of these towers can be observed still now and are mainly private houses. The ?Torrione?, after it had been restored, became a municipal Museum, on the lower floor, while the upper floor was the house of the artist Giovanni Maltese from Forio and is now an art gallery hosting his pictures and sculptures collection.

A.Rizzoli Museum The Angelo Rizzoli Museum is located in Villa Arbusto and collects a picture gallery about Angelo Rizzoli?s stay on the island of Ischia. He was used to stay in Lacco Ameno where he promoted the restructuring of the ancient Santa Restituta baths and sponsored the construction of a series of big luxury hotels which became since then the much loved destination for cinema stars and international jet-set in 50ies and 60ies
Pithecusae Museum - Lacco Ameno - The Pithecusae Archaeological Museum is located at the main building of Villa Arbusto, in Lacco Ameno. The Villa was built in 1785 by Don Carlo Acquaviva, Duke of Atri, in the same place where was once a farm called ?dell?arbusto? (?arbusto? means ? shrub? , in this case the reference is to a particular plant growing in the garden surrounding the building). The Villa had many owners , until 1952, when it was purchased by the publisher and movie producer Angelo Rizzoli who sponsored the reconstruction of the ancient thermal bath, the construction of some big hotels and the restoration of Piazza Restituta in the town centre of Lacco Ameno. Villa Arbusto is not only the seat of the Pithecusae Museum, but has a splendid garden, open to the public. In the Museum there are many archaeological findings dating back from the Prehistory to the Romans Age. On the ground floor there is the a Geological section , which shows how the presence of the volcano affected life on the island. Some findings made of clay and stone dating to the Neolithic, have been retrieved at Cilento, nearby the Ischia cemetery; a village dating back from the middle Bronze Age to the Iron Age has been discovered on the hill of Castiglione, in Casamicciola. Many important findings come from the Greek village called Pithecusae, settled in the second quarter of the VIII century b. C. by colonists from the island of Eubea, retrieved thank to the works directed by the archaeologist Giorgio Buchner since 1952.Findings give evidence of Greek colonists? customs and activities: maritime trade, metals manifacture and ceramics production. A special section presents materials connected to the trade relationships between Pithecusae and the Middle East, Cartago, Greece and Spain, the southern Etruria, Puglia, Calabria and Sardegna. In the museum are also exposed series of funerary objects from the Necropolis located at San Montano bay, used as burial place for about 1000 years, since the second half of the VIII century. From this Necropolis have been retrieved some pots and cups as the big pot on which is painted a shipwreck representation and the so called ?Coppa di Rodi?, a cup supposed to come from Rhodes, on which there is an inscription referring to the Nestore ?s Cup described in the Iliad. Since the beginning of the VII century b. C, Pithecusae declined due to the development of Cuma on the mainland. Temples are supposed to have existed on the Acropolis of Monte Vico, because of the presence of terra- cotta architectural elements. From the same place have been retrieved sets of table potteries, painted black, similar to those produced on the island during the Hellenistic Age, and exported to Africa, Spain, southern France.

During Roman Age, the island was called Aenaria, and suffered from many eruptions of the volcano: so, Romans did not settle on the island, but in the inland area called Campi Flegrei. Findings dating back to this period come from Roman tombs, marble reliefs from the Nymphae sanctuary at Nitrodi spring, in Barano, lead and tin bars from the submerged fundry of Cartaromana, where metals imported from mines in Cartagena (Spain) were manufactured.

Churches

Soccorso Church, Forio

There is a tiny white-washed church is located in a truly spectacular position: in the square on the Punta del Soccorso in Forio, that looks out onto the crystal clear sea - a typically Merranean site of astounding beauty.

Itineraries

Do

Beaches

Chiaia, the perfect place for children;
Cava dell'Isola, the most important beach for young people;
Citara, where is Poseidon Thermal Garden. 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 with the thermal water spas in several points, allowing you to bathe in the sea and reap the benefit of thermal water at the same time;
Bay of Saint Montano, a splendid bay where is the wonderful thermal park of the Negombo. This unusual beach, closed in between Mount Vico and Mount Zaro, has unique characteristics compared to the island?s other beaches. The clear sea water is very hot and the water is extremely shallow;
Cartaromana ? Ischia - This beach is located 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 thermal water springs that spill out on the shore, allowing tourists to swim in the sea in winter too;
Marina dei Maronti ? Barano -

Maronti Beach, Barano
The beach at Maronti is 3 km long and can be reached by taking a charming panoramic road that starts in Barano and descends towards 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 the largest on the island; it is full of thermal springs, natural spas and fumaroles.
Spiaggia degli Inglesi: Lovely small beach located in Ischia; suitable for enjoying a peaceful rest, far away from crowds.
Cava grado: small cove located in the surrounndings of Sant?Angelo; hydrovolcanic activity occurs in hot water outpourings used for relaxing baths; to get here, there is a steeply sloping foot-path starting from Succhivio
Bagnitiello: series of sandy beaches along the sea front road, equipped with car park and bathing establishments.

Sorgeto - Panza, Forio - Sorgeto is a shingle small bay, lying to the foot of cliffs covered by agave plants, to the West of Sant?Angelo. Thermal water gushes into the sea. On the hill behind, is located an important archaeological site, known as Punta Chiarito which was where the first Greek colonist settled vines an a hut village.

Events

One of the many things that make Ischia such a fantastic place to visit is the variety of events on offer throughout the country every month of the year. Whether you like, from musical events and festivals, to the handicrafts markets in the historical center and sports events, you will always find the ideal events for your tastes.

In spring and summer, the various villages on Ischia organize several events: most of them are linked to religious festivals, which are an important part of the island?s tradition and cultural identity. If you are planning to spend a few days on the island in the period of one of the events below, we recommend

Here follow the events calendar of the Estate Ischitana 2005:

In spring and summer, the various villages on Ischia organize several events: most of them are linked to religious festivals that are an important part of the island?s tradition and cultural identity. If you are planning to spend a few days on the island in the period of one of the events below, we recommend

Vinischia - July An event that is entirely dedicated to food and wine and Campania regional crafts. It has been organized each summer since 1999 at Torre Guevara at Ischia Ponte. Shows, concerts and dances are organized around the exhibitions and the food and wine tasting.

Settembre sul Sagarato ? August and September A village festival has been organized every year since 1988 in Ischia, that is held in Piazzale Battistessa, opposite the Church of San Pietro. The festival lasts for two weeks and is filled with painting exhibitions, parades of traditional costumes, wine tasting, fagiolate (bean stew tasting), concerts and shows.

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 Jul The Festa di Sant?Anna in Ischia Porto 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 Castello Aragonese. The parade ends with a prize-giving ceremony and fireworks. The festival is watched by an enthusiastic public.

ForeignFilmFestival ? June - A cinema festival with premieres and retrospective themes dedicated to films located in Europe, especially Italy. Ischia, for example, was one of the favorite locations for films made in Italy from the 1950s onwards. Some of the films made here are Vacanze a Ischia with Vittorio De Sica, the colossal Cleopatra with Richard Burton and Liz Taylor and the more recent film The Talent of Mr Ripley with Matt Damon and Jude Law.

Nightlife

Disco

Many of Ischia best dance clubs are in Forio and Ischia Porto

Valentino DiscoClub (http://www.valentinoischia.it)

Buy

In every built up area of the island there are streets where you can go exciting shopping for craftsman ships, agricultural local products. The Boutiques, that sell the Famous brand clothes, mark the shopping route:

In Ischia you can go to Via Roma, Corso Vittoria Colonna, or to Borgo di Ischia Ponte, a very nice place full of artisans, shops, restaurants and jewelers.

In Casamicciola, the main streets for shopping are the Seafront and the adjoining Marina Square

In Lacco Ameno the seafront has been very famous since the fifties, nowadays called Corso Rizzoli, that comes out at Piazza Santa Restituta, the place where the inhabitants meet each other.

In Forio, thanks to the expanse of the town territory, there are a lot of possibilities for shopping. Here we only mention the very long main street that crosses the whole city territory.

In Serrara Fontana, do not miss Sant?Angelo, the sea area of the town, for hopping and social life.

In Barano the center of commercial life is the square that faces the wonderful beach of Maronti.

Handicrafts

Handicraft Ceramic

Handicrafts activities constitute part of the cultural heritage related to a particular place, handed on from father to son, by improving techniques and experimenting new forms and materials, but always keeping the added value of human skills. The results consist of highly original objects, conceivable not only as a souvenir but also as traditions and identy of a place. In addition to potteries and raffia, remarkable skills have been developed in manifacturing volcanic stone and wrought iron.

Potteries Ceramics making and decorating is a very ancient art; many archaeological findings dating back to the Neolithic and to Greek time (8th century b.C.) testify to the use of manifacturing ceramics on the island of Ischia since remote times. This tradition has been handed on during centuries, developing new techniques and producing objects of different use. The word ?ceramics? comes from the Greek ?keramikos? which means ?clay?, while ?keramik� tekhn�? indicates the potter?s skilled work, including the hand made clay modelling and the baking in special ovens. Ceramics include objects dedicated to two main categories: objects for domestic use, such as dishes, pots, small decorative sculptures, and objects for the building industry such as tiles for paving, roofing tiles, pipes, bath tubs and so on. The big family of products derived from clay includes: terracotta, majolica, earthenware, porcelain, gr�s which differ in the features of the material such as: porosity and baking temperature. In fact, porous ceramics i.e. terracotta, majolica and terraglia has a baking temperature of less than 600�C and compact ceramics i.e. porcelain and gr�s has a baking temperature higher than 900�C. Terra-cotta is made of common clay and presents many iron impurities. Assyrians, Babylonians and Egyptians used to dry in the sun this kind of products. If it is baked in oven, it will become dark red, assuming the particular colour known as terra-cotta, varying in intensity as the consequence of its chemical composition. It is suitable to be covered by glassy glazes which make it bright, smooth and not porous. It is usually painted and decorated in different ways. It was used since the Prehistory to make small sculptures and ornaments, but its use became really widespread in Greece. Ceramics were also produced and used in the Middle Age and during the Renaissance (the most famous example dating to that time are the polychrome terrecotte made by the Della Robbia); ceramic objects are still nowadays the most common in different uses. Majolica indicates a sort of ceramic made of a soft paste and covered by an opaque glaze usually white. It is called also ?faience? due to a French word coming from the town of Faenza, which was an important production centre during the Middle Age and the Renaissance. Majolica is a material well-known all around the Merranean sea; it has usually brightly coloured and very rich decorations. Features of products made of porcelain come from its composition (50% kaolin, 25% quartz, 25% feldspar which make it a very strong, white and bright. Biscuit means a kind of white opaque porcelain without glaze. Porcelain can be baked at a temperature above 1400 �C. The production process consists of diverse phases: kneading, modelling, drying, waterproofing, decoration, baking. The clay production process is the most important aspect for having high quality final products. Secrets and experimental techniques have been handed on during centuries and still nowadays they are the base of the production cycle. On the island the main example of ceramics production is represented by the old workshop Mennella in Casamicciola: the workshop as well as a large exhibition of products are accessible to visitors. All around there are small pottery workshops

Eat

Pizza : It is not possible to talk about Campania?s gastronomy without mentioning the pizza. This palate?s delight was born in Naples, in honour of Queen Margaret. From simple baked product it became a fanciful, rich, surprising and always appreciated food.

Ischitanian Rabbit: It is not possible to know if it is because of that mountain that climbs towards the sky giving the idea of an island-not-island, or because of the misture of land and sea that Ischia has kept that primitive and wild feeling that now meets modernity . For all this reasons this island is a priceless place, especially for the taste. It is an land island. Staring from the rabbit, always cooked in terracotta baking-pan with a clove of garlic, wine, little tomatoes, lard and local spices: poor ingredients for an old and very savoury dish.

Bucatini with Rabbit Sauce: Indivisible from the ischitanian rabbit is this very savoury main course that is served with the very simple but very rich rabbit sauce

Pit Rabbit: In latest years the pit rabbit became like a totem for the island. The rabbit is bred after the old manner. It lives its natural state: wild, in woods and mountains, and grows up (as for many centuries) in pits and only feeds with wild grass.

Snails (?E Maruzze): They are picked along the dry walls (parracine) and in woods. They are cooked in the traditional way with wild grass, especially in the internal par of the island.

Ischitanian Caponata: Appetizer or main course (if served with mozzarella cheese), the caponata directly originates from the typical insalata cafona (peasant salad). The peasant used to eat it for lunch, in the countryside, during the working time. Nowadays there are many recipes, the oldest one combines little tomatoes, onion, stale bread or freselle, salad and wild grass.

Fish - Fish in Ischia does not betray. There are many ways to buy it fresh, directly in fish-shops or at the paranza(trawler) when fishermen come back from the sea after the beating. Typical of the island are macaroni with sea food, linguine with sea-urchins and different species of local fish served in many ways: marinated, cooked in the oven, with spaghetti. The paranza fry is very famous: a lot of fried little fish of different species depending on what fishermen found. Usually they bring basses white breams, giltheads, little tuna, crayfish, calamari, squids and langoustes that enrich the menu of restaurants and agritourisms.

Honey - Some passionately fond, produce honey made from bees, citrus fruits or flowers. The local honey has a consistence and a taste very different from the others.

Bread - There is a town between Barano and Serrara Fontana called buonopane (good bread). Here they have been making bread for centuries. Cooked only in wood ovens it is kneaded with the crisc?to a natural yeast of acid mother paste. The bread is still kneaded by hand, and its smell in the morning is stirring. All over the island. All over the island there are ovens making bread.

Mozzarella di Bufala - Perhaps the Campania product most in, with DOP awarded by the European Union. Due to vast market demand and the scarce number of water buffalo, it is also however a product at risk of a ?bufala? (also Italian for scam). To avoid this, each wrapper carries the symbol of the protection consortium to guarantee its authenticity and geographic origin. The origin of the mozzarella ? so called from the verb ?mozzare? to cut ? probably goes back to the 12th century, while the buffalo was already part of the Campanian landscape in the 7th century. The true characteristic of this fresh cheese with a delicate taste is its consistency, which should be firm, slightly elastic and chewy. When cut, the centre of a true mozzarella di bufala 'weeps': an interior still be slightly serous, protected by a thin skin and it should be smooth, but not viscous. It should be preserved in its liquid for no more than 48 hours, preferably not in the refrigerator but in a cool and airy place. As well as the characteristic round form it is produced in braids, knots, nuts and cherries and there is also a smoked version.

The rural culture is confirmed by the cultivation of many kinds of vegetables, potatoes, eggplants, peppers, courgettes, artichokes and garden rockets.

The legume are very good: lentils, chicklings, beans (they have curious and unusual varieties called pipers ?purple red colored- and fascists - with black nuances).

The volcanic soil favours the growth of tomatoes. They are picked up in clusters and twisted to create the typical pendolikept in dry and fresh place.

Drink

On the Island of Ischia, the viticulture has millenarian origins. The cultivation technique is like the Greek traditional one. In fact, it is different from that one used in the middle of Italy and in the rest of the Campania province. From the coasts to the steep mountain slopes is where the vine is cultivated on proper terraced fields. Here is a list of the most famous and diffused kinds of grapes, all cultivated in the island from about 300 years ago: White Grapes - Biancolella, Forastera, and Arilla S. Lunardo; Red Grapes ? Guarnaccia and Pedirosso o Pere e Palummo.

Limoncello After a traditional meal mainly based on fish, it is very common in Campania region , to drink limoncello, usually after coffee. Limoncello is a traditional spirit distilled from lemon rinds, typical of Napoli, Caserta and Ischia. It is a natural product, usually home-made from rinds of the typical lemon, big in size and with a thick peel which grows in the area. It is made by steeping lemon rids in alcohol and by adding water and sugar. It must be served chilly as appetizer or digestive. It is also used mixed with champagne and white wine to prepare cocktails. How to make Limoncello Ingredients: 2kg of lemons, 1 l alcohol, 2 l water, 1 kg sugar. Put lemon peelings alcohol for 21 days in a dark place. Then boil sugar and water. When cooled add to lemon-alcohol, mix, filter peelings and fill into bottles..and the Limoncello is ready!

Ischia Bianco Doc The soul of Ischia soul is not the sea, but farming and wine growing, once in fact an area of 3,000 hectares (now 800), was devoted to this main activity. Thanks to its commerce in wine, Casa d'Ambra was founded, with its premises at the port, making history in wine on the island and in southern Italy. DOC Ischia is among the oldest in Italy : it goes back in fact to the mid 1870s and covers the whole island. The vine heritage is quite varied and includes grapes such as Biancolella, Forastera, Grape Rilla, San Lunardo, Coglionara and Falanghina.The tendency has always been for table wines to accompany either seafood or land-produce dishes. The result is a particularly elegant wine, due mostly to the volcanic terrain and dry microclimate with good thermal conditions.

Sleep

Villa Marialuisa Ischia, Via Vecchia 15, Forio d'Ischia (100m from the port), +39 33 9291 4073, 1 (http://www.appartamentiischia.it). Apartments to rent in the heart of the historical centre of Forio, surrounded by a lush Merranean Garden with lemon, orange, mandarin, palm trees and an English garden. The Villa offers recently-restructured independent Holiday homes of various sizes (for 2-6 people) with a garden and all comforts. The main beaches of Ischia Island are within walking distance, but you can also take a bus or minibus.

Casa S,Vito - Forio d'Ischia (100m from the sea)- +39 081 997066 - Apartments (San Vito) offers independent holiday homes of various sizes for 2-5 people.

Stay safe

Get out

From Forio Forio?s Port there are daily trips to Capri, Naples, Amalfi, Sorrento, Pompeii, Positano, Vesuvius, Procida Procida, Royal Palace of Caserta Caserta.

Under 45 minutes away

The isle of the syrens, or mermaids, as it was known in Greek mythology, Capri, since time immemorial the desire of emperors and travellers alike, is set in the Gulf of Naples near Ischia, rising dramatically from a turquoise sea. It is reached in about 40 minutes minutes by hydrofoil from the port of Ischia or Forio, docking at Marina Grande, the harbour and beach of the island, where our visit begins. In this small town there are the remains of the Palazzo a Mare, probably the residence of Augustus, and the monumental Bagni di Tiberio, or Baths of Tiberius. Walking along Via Colombo we reach the start of the Phoenician Steps, a steep path built during the Greek era that remained the only communication link with Anacapri until the modern road was constructed. From Marina Grande, take the funicular railway to Capri, thus reaching the piazzetta, hub of daily life on the island, with a wide terrace offering an enchanting view over the sea, the famous bell tower, and bars with open-air tables. On one side you will notice the steps leading up to the Church of Santo Stefano, in Baroque style embellished with Moorish cupolas. Opposite is the Palazzo Cerio, where Giovanna I of Anjou stayed, now home to the Ignazio Cerio Centre, with an interesting collection of archaeological findings from the island. From Via Matteotti reach the Gardens of Augustus, a park overlooking the sea with a spendid view of the Faraglioni rocks. Continuing along Via Krupp enjoy a series of surprising panoramas from each of its hairpin bends before arriving at Marina Piccola. Another picturesque itinerary follows Via Madre Serafina, a path part covered and part open that offers extensive views across the town and ends at the Belvedere Cannone

About one hour away

Further afield

Biggest country to travel:	Biggest cities to travel:	Islands in the top travel 40:	World Travel guide	Random travel link:
Russia Pakistan France Mexico State	Bombay in India Moscow in Russia Chicago in USA Karachi in Pakistan	Moorea Maldives Mauritius Hawaii Caribbean	Heard_Island_and_McDonald_Islands Serbia_and_Montenegro Ghana Switzerland Western_Sahara	French Riviera Montenegro Luxembourg Honshu in Japan Kunming in China

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0

Url Rewriting et referencement made by Atuvu
Photographe aix en provence Daniel Weiss
Ooaj Travel Guide Home Page