At the end of Ischia Ponte, rising out of the waves like a sea monster, looms the ancient Castello Aragonese, an imposing castle built on an islet attached to the island of Ischia by a 220m-long stone foot bridge. From the castle's Terrace of the Immaculate Conception there are stunning views of Ischia Ponte, Spiaggia dei Pescatori and Monte Epomeo.
A City in a Castle in the Sea
Castello Aragonese began its life as a Syracusan settlement in the 5th century BCE, serving as refuge from Saracen raids. It eventually evolved into a fully self-sufficient fort-city, complete with churches, markets, crypts and homes – counting 1892 families in its 16th-century heyday.
The structure was completely overhauled in the 1400s by King Alfonso of Aragon, and has seen additions each century since. Today it functions as a museum and cultural event space, with romantic garden aperitifs and some of the island's most stunning views of the Gulf.
Centuries of Architecture
With the 18th-century Chiesa dell’Immacolata as a starting point, you can literally see the castle's long history play out as you stroll the grounds: the medieval gardens, the 11th-century crypt plastered with 14th-century frescoes inspired by Giotto, the 16th-century cemetery for Clarisse nuns. Common criminals and political prisoners alike were imprisoned in the Carcere Borbonico.
A Cultural Touchstone
Visiting the Castello Aragonese to learn about its millennia-long history is a must for any visitor to Ischia, but don't rush off after the tour; the castle also hosts art exhibits and exciting cultural events, most notably the Ischia Film Festival each July.