The small, about 46 km² by area, island of volcanic origin Ischia is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the northern part of the Gulf of Naples. Today Ischia attracts tourists with its many attractions, both natural and cultural origin. Despite the rather modest size of the island, it will be difficult for tourists who have found themselves on it for the first time, what to pay attention to first. So, offer you a list of what you should look at Ischia first.
Aragonese Castle, Ischia
The Aragonese castle stands on a separate tiny island of frozen volcanic lava, with the island itself it is connected by a small dam. It was built in the 5th century BC. As a defensive fortress on the orders of Geron Syracuse. In the XV century a gallery was built inside the castle, and the bridge connecting the castle with the island was reconstructed, which allowed the entire population of the city to hide there from pirate invasions until the middle of the 18th century. In 1851, the fortress was sent to prison for political criminals, and further the island became a place of exile.
Despite the rather gloomy history, the Aragonese Castle impresses with its beauty and quaint architecture. The highest point of the building is 115 meters. The dome of the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the Maschio tower stand out against the backdrop of the stone hulks of the castle.
Ischia: thermal parks
Thermal springs of Ischia are a kind of visiting card of the island. Artificially arranged and natural thermal parks and gardens are real paradise corners in which medicinal waters of different temperatures combined with natural beauty, fresh greenery and bright vegetation exert the most beneficial influence on the nervous system and the organism as a whole. It is noteworthy that the island has the highest concentration of underground thermal springs on the whole European continent!
The gardens of Poseidon - the most famous thermal park of Ischia, is located in the town of Forio in the bay of Chita and are protected by UNESCO, since they are considered to be the real "eighth wonder of the world".
There are 22 swimming pools with constantly updated thermal water, unique in its chemical composition, as well as a Japanese bath and a real sauna in a natural grotto. A variety of procedures in the water at different temperatures (from 20 to 40 ° C) allow you to fully relax and enjoy the rest.
For fans of beach recreation along the park is equipped with a sandy beach strip, a width of 600 meters, decorated with beautiful palm umbrellas, which perfectly protect from the sun.
The gardens of Negombo are a unique combination of a botanical garden and a thermal park, the most beautiful place in Ischia. Founded by Duke Luigi Camerini in 1946, who arrived on the island, impressed by the beauty of the Negombo Bay in Ceylon.
In the park you can find everything your heart desires for a comfortable stay: thermal pools with hydromassage, including Japanese and grotto, a well-equipped sandy beach, a beauty parlor and so on. Special attention is paid to the vegetation of the Negombo gardens - bright southern oleanders, pomegranates, hibiscus and camellias grow magnificently here.
Another famous thermal complex in Ischia is Eden Gardens . This is a multidisciplinary health-improving institution with gynecological and balneological departments. Guests are offered such wellness procedures as medical baths, massages, inhalations, laser and magnetic therapy, iontophoresis. According to testimony, classes are also conducted in the rehabilitation and gymnasium.
All that is necessary to visit the amazing island of Ischia is a passport and a Schengen visa to Italy.