The Aragonese Castle and Porto Ischia
Persevere
Pat and Bruce
Fri 23 Apr 2010 18:35
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Today is a rainy, windy and cool day so why not
visit a castle which can be damp and cold also. The Aragonese Castle of
ischia is built on an old volcanic dome (stagnation dome) 220 meter off
the main island. First started in 474 BC by the Syracusan Greek Gerone I,
who came to the aid of the Cumans in the war against the Thyrrenians. Over
the centuries it was occupied by the Visigoths, Vandals, Ostrogoths, Arabs,
Normans, Swabians and Angevins. In the 16th century it reached its peak
and housed 1892 families seeking protection from pirates. Of course in
1809 the British beseiged the castle which at the time was held by the French.
It was almost completely destroyed. In 1832 Ferdinand I, King of naples,
made it a prison for life convicts. With Garibaldi's arrival in 1860 the
prison was abolished and it became part of the Reign of Italy. On June 8
1912 it was auctioned off to private owners and remains such.
 Causeway and castle built on volcanic dome.
Causeway was built in the 15 century
 Church of S. Maria delle Grazie built on a
precipice overlooking the sea and is sometimes called the Church of the Modonna
della Punta. There were 13 churches on the island.
 The dead nun chairs. Yes when a nun died they
were seated on the thrones to decompose, liquids collected in vials below the
chair. Living nuns would spend hours each day praying for them and
conteplating death. Of course being in the same room as these dead nuns
caused the living nuns to get ill and soon become another occupant of a
throne. Many of the nuns were the first born child and were sent to the
Klosters to allow the next child, a son, to inherit the wealth of the
family.
 Church of the Immacolata at the top of the
island.
After the castle we went back into the port of
Ischia. This is a well protected port that is actually a volcanic cone
that had an opening cut to the sea to make it a port. Even though the port
is well protected the large number of ferries coming and going make is a very
rolly place the berth a boat.
 This is the more upscale town on the island.
Packed with waterfront restaurants and shops along the radiating streets.
Taxis are available everywhere as are hotels.
 Road between Porto Ischia and Castle
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