Ischia Island
Ischia
is the largest island among the Naples Gulf (Ischia, Capri,
Procida, Vivara). The island, that has a circumference of nearly
37 km, a surface of nearly 47 kmq, and a resident population
that amounts to nearly 60.000 units, is a well-known tourist
centre thanks to its unequalled natural beauty, its all-year-round
mild climate, for its thermal water and for its modern tourist
facilities and hotels.
Also,
and thanks to her conformation , it has originated differents
environments rich of attractions and beauty: on the northern
reliefs there is a luxuriant vegetation, chestnut , holm-oak,
oak-tree woods; on the southern side the low vegetation of the
mediterranean maquis cover 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.
The
climate
Ischia's climate has the dry heat typical of the Mediterranean.
The orographical conformation means that some
areas get more rain than others; there is more rainfall in
the north east.
The cloud and vapour carrier winds are Mediterranean ones,
namely the scirocco (south-easterly) and libeccio (south-westerly),
which are common in the spring.
Other
frequent weather phenomena are the spring and occasional frosts
and the mistral breezes in the summer months.
Some
of history
From ancient times Ischia was considered a very interesting
area both for its good position into the Mediterranean sea
and for the richness of its territory.
During
the VII century b.C the island was colonized from the Greek
and they called it Phitekoussai. From here they maked the
coast conquest and they founded Cuma and Neapolis.
Their
main activity was the pottery production and its trade.
Afterwards
in about 500 b.C. was conquered from the Syracusans.
Phitekussai was destroyed and the island suffered several
dominations, among which the Roman who gave it to the Neapolitan
kingdom exchanging it with Capri.
From
the IXth century started the terrible invasions of Saracens,
of the Turkish and the Africans, which lasted seven hundred
years.
The
island's inhabitants were obliged to escape towards the island's
interior , where they built some shelters on tufa rocks which
can be see still nowadays.
On
the following periods Ischia was dominated by different population:
the Normans, the Swabians, the Angevins and at last the Aragoneses.
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 of the sovereign house
of Naples and it so remained until the unity of Italy.
Ischia attractives
Serrara-Fontana
town extends over 669 hectors and has a population of 3,000
inhabitants. It is the highest town above sea level on the
island and is divided into the following: Serrara, Fontana,
Sant’Angelo, Succhivo, Ciglio, Calimera and Noia.
The
land is hilly and often furrowed by deep gorges created by
rainwater.
Only Sant’Angelo lies on the coast.
It is a little fishing village which has to be explored on
foot.
Sant‘Angelo
is one of the main attractions of Serrara Fontana. Mainly,
it’s a farm town, 400 meters above sea level and at south
from Epomeo’s vulcanic massif.
The
place offers a lot of excursions, into the island and on the
other ones.
One
of the most interesting is one that takes to Cavascura’s
valley where a powerfull thermal spring that spout out at
100 grades, feeds an thermal baths hollows in the stone.
Also,
there is an excursion to the Epomeo, that tourists prefeer
to takes by night to can admire the wonderful sights of the
daybreak.
Moving
on Ischia
ON
FOOT OR BY BICYCLE
At Ischia (approximately 80 km of street
network) it is advisable to move on foot only in the town
centres or for pleasant walks along the various country itineraries.
During the tourist season there is a lot of traffic on its
streets, it would be therefore better to use a bicycle only
for short distances.
BY CAR
Using an own car is possible, but please
pay attention to the numerous no parkings situated in the
town centres, where it is advisable only to park either in
the public or in the private parking areas (on charge). In
some towns (and anyway in certain well defined street areas)
it is allowed to park by showing a pre-paid ticket, which
costs about 1 Euro and is valid for an hour.
It is possible to hire a car on the island as well as a motor-bicycle
or a bicycle, at the numerous rental centres located in each
town.
BY TAXI OR BUS
At Ischia the public transport is formed
by taxis, microtaxis and multi-seats vehicles (it is however
advisable to agree previously the journey charge) as well
as by the public bus transport by the SEPSA Company.
THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICE
The public bus service connects
the various centres of the island through frequent journeys,
most of them having their terminus in the town of Ischia Porto
close to the harbour. The charge for a single journey (valid
90 minutes) amounts to € 1.20, but is also possible to
purchase tickets with a wider validity at cheap prices.
These tickets can be bought at very numerous shops (notably
newsstands, bars, travel agencies and tobacconist's).
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