:: Ischia Ponte ::
Historically the main settlement on the eastern side of the island, Ischia Ponte developed once the local population was able to move ashore from the fortified 'Castello Aragonese' islet, after the threat of pirate raids ended was lifted towards the end of the 17th century.
:: Pictures of Ischia's Castello ::
Rather a lot thereof - more or less in reverse date order
:: In - and from - the Castello ::
Sorry - no pictures of their instruments of torture!
:: Ischia Ponte - the third cathedral ::
Over the years there have been three cathedrals on the island of Ischia.
The first one was swept away, along with all other traces of the inland settlement of Geronda, during the early 14th century when an enormous lava flow erupted from Mount Arso and spilled down to the sea.
The second - constructed on the fortified islet of the Castello Aragonese - was brought to
ruins by the cannons of the British fleet, firing at French troops stationed there in 1809.
In 1810, a church in the centre of Ischia Ponte, dedicated in the C14th to Santa Maria della Scala but subsequently rebuilt at least twice - which had been the centre of an Augustinian monastery until the order's suppression in 1808 - was elevated to the status of cathedral, the "Cattedrale dell' Assunta".
:: Ischia Porto ::
The port was created from a volcanic crater lake that once contained only brackish water.
It was opened to the sea in 1854, and at the end of the gallery there are pictures showing the fireworks,
and procession of historic ships, that celebrated the event's 150th Anniversary on 17th September 2004.
Click on the individual pictures for larger versions, or use the Slideshow link - at top right
25-JUN-2011
Just how far apart are Porto and Ponte?
People often ask - and it's not at all far.... only two
"crow" kilometres from the harbour to the start of the
castle causeway at Ponte!
This catches almost all of the city of Ischia in one photo,
shot from the Easyjet as it flew over at 16:50 local time
- some 15 minutes early, thanks to a strong tail wind.
After quite a wait for baggage, made up for by a fast taxi ride
to Beverello, we just caught the 17:55 Caremar hydrofoil... and
were home a little after 19:00 - 2 hours or so from touchdown.
But how handy a parachute would have been!
08-FEB-2010
Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte
28-OCT-2011
Ischia Porto and Ponte
The red "X" marks the Hotel Durrueli
Each grid square covers an area that really measures
500 metres by 500 metres - with the straight line
distance from the harbour to the landward end of
the castle causeway being some 2 kilometres.
Taken from the excellent "StradaNapoli" - a spiralbound
map book covering Naples and its surroundings, as well
as the Bay's three islands... ISBN - 9 788886 782074
08-MAR-2013
In Ponte, the 'Borgo di Celso'
The main palazzi, churches etc to be found in the oldest part of Ischia Ponte
29-MAR-2009
The coat of arms of the city of Ischia
By decree of the President of the Republic signed by Carlo Azeglio Ciampi and countersigned by
Silvio Berlusconi and Registered in the Office of Honours and Heraldry on the 15/02/06 it is
established that: Granted to the City of Ischia in the Province of Naples a crest and banner
described as follows:
Coat of Arms: on a sky background, on the Italian mount of 15 hills, five pieces, then 4, 3, 2, 1,
embroidered in gold, surmounted by an ancient crown with five visible points. Under the shield, on
a forked banner and floating across the sky, the motto, in capital black letters, ISCLA FIDELITATIS
AETERNAE. Exterior ornaments of the city.
Banner: Yellow cloth with a light blue border, richly decorated in gold embroidery and carrying
the crest described above with the inscription in the centre in gold, bearing the name of the
city. The metal parts and the cords are golden. The vertical pole will be covered in velvet with
the colours of the drape, alternating, with gold tacks positioned in a spiral. On the shaft there
will be represented the coat of arms of the city and on its stalk carved the name. A tie with
ribbons of the national colours fringed in gold.
Comune of Ischia, set fares for taxis - May 2007
You're meant to ask for these predetermined fares before setting off, but will probably
be charged them anyway...
They include any and all supplements for baggage, pets, travel on highdays and holidays,
and 'return to base' - but there's an extra €3 to pay from 10 PM to 7AM (22:00 to 07:00).
The last shown is a 3 hour tour of the island, which we've done with some friends over on
a day's visit from Sorrento. Whilst not particularly cheap, it turned out to be very jolly,
and much better for their elderly mother than the hassle of using the buses!
Perhaps print this list, and show it to the driver - so they're clear what you want?
In PDF format:
or
... and an online version, on the Comune's website:
Note though that these apply only to taxis operating out of the city of Ischia.
Your fare "back", in one based elsewhere on the island, may well not be the same
- even on an identical journey - as each Comune can set its own rates!
.
