Tear yourself away long enough from snorkeling and relaxing in the thermal spas of Ischia to explore this gem of a medieval fortress on a rocky islet in the Bay of Naples.
With its buildings perched on the top of rocky cliffs just offshore, the Aragonese Castle of Ischia is a sight to behold. Explore the churches, garden and convent of this ancient medieval fortress and imagine how attackers were easily repelled from here.
It was the Greek Hiero I of Syracuse who constructed a fortress on this islet in 474 B.C. However, it has been conquered, ruined and rebuilt so often that it looks very different today. The Romans, the early Parthenopean peoples of Naples, the French and the British have all conquered and altered it. In 1823 the king of Naples made it a prison for exiled people. Finally, in 1912, the castle was sold to a private owner.
Castello Aragonese, as it is locally known, was named after Alfonso V of Aragon. In 1441 he built a stone bridge to replace the wooden one that connected the islet to the mainland. Make your way across this 722-feet (220-meter) stone walkway and then follow the path up to the castle, or save time and take the 1970s elevator for magnificent panoramic views.
Explore the streets leading up to the fortress. Walk towards the cupola of the central church of Immacolata, and spot the smaller churches along the way. If you are feeling brave, delve into the crypts of the old convent, which tell a harrowing historic tale.
Relax with an espresso or cappuccino in a local café, admire archaeological displays and paintings and sculptures in tiny galleries. Gaze up to admire the architecture of the royal residence, named Maschio, perched high on the fortress hill and not accessible to the general public.
Look for the towers that were built at the same time as the original castle to spot enemy ships on the horizon. Linger in the fortress until sunset, when the walls take on a golden glow and the whole islet appears like something out of a fairy tale.
Although Aragonese Castle is open daily from morning until sunset, the last tickets are sold an hour before closing. Guided tours run a few days per week. Note that Maschio, the royal residence on the eastern side of Ischia, is off limits to the public.
