The island of Ischia

Ischia is a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian, at the northern end of the Gulfo of Naples. It is almost entirely mountainous, with the highest peak being Mount Epomeo at 788 meters.The island has a population of over 60,000 people.

The community areas in Ischia include ischia Porto (the main Comune of the island), Barano, Casamicciola , Forio, Lacco Ameno and Serrara Fontana.

Thanks to its history, the sea and its special volcanic nature, Ischia is a rare beauty and wellness legacy, an island that celebrates life. 2700 years of history, 103 thermal wellness springs and the largest of the Neapolitan islands, about 30 km from Naples, measuring 10 km from east to west and 7 km from north to south, with 34 km of shoreline. Its highest peak is Mount Epomeo (787 m.). The climate is mild all year round.

Throughout Italy and the rest of the world, The island of Ischia is very high on the list of places for its capacity to accommodate tourist requirements and for its variety of environments and natural beauties whose harmonic complexity has a particular attraction and charm for the tourist, who, nearly always, return to island to recover the strength of their bodies and spirits.

Due to the lush vegetation found here, Ischia is known as the Green island.

Another feature of the island is the charming beaches and promontories, both sandy and pebble beaches.

Thanks to its special atmosphere, Ischia has hosted personalities of show business, politics, business and culture.

History

Ischia has an ancient history, that continues to stimulate the interests of intellectuals. Ischia was inhabited even in ancient times but the earliest concrete historical evidence of this originates from the Greeks of Calcide and Eretria. Five hundred year later the Romans arrived, and they are attributed with the discovery of springs and the constructions of the thermal spa.

From 1000 Ad the island took the name of Ischia. In 1154 Ischia was under the rule of Swabians, who ordered the construction of the Castle. Their rule lasted for 100 years, after which the French and Spanish argued for centuries over the ownership of the island and Castle. Ischia was occupied in 1806 by French who were the responsible for the division of the island into municipalities. After the unification of Italy in 1861, Giuseppe Garibaldi travelled to Casamicciola to cure himself of a wound with the thermal waters.