The Castello of Ischia

One of Ischia's most prominent landmarks is the Aragon castle perched on a rock. The enduring emblem of the island was actually first built in 474 BC! The Greeks from Syracuse constructed a fortification on this rocky site during a sea battle with other ancient occupiers and invaders of the area. The Romans established a town on Ischia in 315 BC and used the existing castle as a look-out. A series of later invaders added to it, including the Visigoths, Arabs and Normans.

In 1441 a stone bridge was built by Alfonso of Aragon to connect the fortress with the island, and he built protective walls around it, as well. The bridge still provides access, and is 220 meters long. At one point, more than 1000 families occupied the magma rock village and there were 13 churches there. During the period of piracy, the population diminished and in 1823 Ferdinand I sent the remainder of the inhabitants away and used the castle as a jail for political prisoners. It was sold to private owners in 1912.

Ischia's interesting castle has undergone renovations and is a fascinating place to visit. Don't miss the views from Terrazzo dell'Immacolata, which looks at the colorful borgo of Ischia Pont and the Pescatori Beach, with the green hills rising beyond. The Aragon Castle of Ischia can be reached by a pathway that climbs to it, part of passing throgh a tunnel cut out of the rock, or by an elevator that is completely encased within the magma rock.