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Ischia
34km (21 miles) W of Naples.
Ischia is a small island, situated in the gulf of Gaeta, west
of Naples, and it is just 47sq. km
(18 sq. miles) in area. Its main
geographical feature is the
dominant volcano Monte Epomeo.
Though dormant now, it was a
source of terror ages ago and it
last erupted in the fourteenth
century. It is still responsible
for the islands thermal springs,
which according to the islanders,
have the power to cure almost any
sickness that may afflict you.
In Greek mythology it was supposed to be the home of Typhoeus
(Typhon), who made the volcanoes
and fathered the three-headed
canine Cerberus, guardian of the
gateway to Hades, and the
incongruous Chimera and Sphinx.
More recently it was colonized by
the Greeks who settled here in the
eighth century BC. The island led
a charmed and peaceful existence
for centuries, and among those who
recognized this placid haven was
Ibsen who lived in a villa near
Casamicciola probably to find the
solitude necessary to complete Peer
Gynt. However, in the 1950s,
Ischia was discovered by wealthy
Italians who built a whole lot of
first-class hotels on it.
Ischia
is a beautiful green island,
covered with pine trees and
surrounded by dazzling waters that
wash its sandy beaches. It is
known for its health spas that use
the curative powers of the waters
of the hot springs for
hydro-massage and mud bath. It is
also famous for the vineyards that
produce the red and white Monte
Epomeo, the red and white Ischia,
and the white Biancolella. The
largest community is at Ischia
Porto on the eastern coast, a
circular town seated in the crater
of the now extinct Monte Epomeo
This is the island's main port of
call.
Forio on the western
coast, with its many bars along
tree-lined streets is one of the
more exciting towns. The other
major communities are Lacco
Ameno and Casamicciola
Terme, on the north shore, and
Serrara Fontana and Barano
d'Ischia, inland and to the
south.
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