Aragonese Castle, Ischia, Italy

Aragonese Castle stands on a volcanic rocky islet that connects to the larger island of Ischia by a causeway (Ponte Aragonese).

The Aragonese Castle is the most impressive historical monument in Ischia, built by Hiero I of Syracuse in 474 BC. At the same time, two towers were built to control enemy fleets' movements. The rock was then occupied by Parthenopeans (the ancient inhabitants of Naples). In 326 BC the fortress was captured by Romans, and then again by the Parthenopeans. In 1441 Alfonso V of Aragon connected the rock to the island with a stone bridge instead of the prior wood bridge, and fortified the walls in order to defend the inhabitants against the raids of pirates.

Around 1700, about 2000 families lived on the islet, including a Poor Clares convent, an abbey of Basilian monks (of the Greek Orthodox Church), the bishop and the seminar, the prince with a military garrison. There were also thirteen churches. In 1809, the British troops laid siege to the island, then under the French command, and shelled it to almost complete destruction. In 1912, the Castle was sold to a private owner. Today the castle is the most visited monument of the island.

It is accessed through a tunnel with large openings which let the light enter. Along the tunnel there is a small chapel consecrated to John Joseph of the Cross (San Giovan Giuseppe della Croce), the patron saint of the island. A more comfortable access is also possible with a modern lift. After arriving outside, it is possible to visit the Church of the Immacolata and the Cathedral of Assunta. The first was built in 1737 on the location of a smaller chapel dedicated to Saint Francis, and closed after the suppression of Convents in 1806 as well as the nunnery of the Clarisses.

The Aragonese Castle of the Ischia is open all year round, every day of the week, from 9am till sunset.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Gita Memmena (6 months ago)
We had a fantastic visit to Castello Aragonese d'Ischia, guided by a knowledgeable local guide who brought the history of the fortress to life. Despite the windy day, the walk up the fortification was enjoyable, offering breathtaking views along the way. The blend of history and modern art displayed throughout the castle added an unexpected yet fascinating touch to the experience. After exploring, we stopped by the cafeteria for a relaxing break and enjoyed the charming atmosphere. The shop also had a nice selection of souvenirs and local goods. Overall, a memorable visit and highly recommended for history lovers and art enthusiasts alike!

Kurt Bennett (6 months ago)
Well worth the 12 euro entry fee. You can easily spend hours there. Lots of walking up/down steps sp wear comfortable shoes

Lynne Forbes (7 months ago)
The castle is incredible and so interesting. Well worth 12€ entry - I was here for hours. There are many many steps - wear comfortable shoes, I wouldn’t recommend wearing flip flops. Use the guide to read about each place on the route. Stunning views of Ischia. Beautiful plants, interesting architecture.

Lydia Cleveland (7 months ago)
Amazing historical site. Very well kept, with wonderful cafes to stop in. The paper guide given when you purchase a ticket is super informative. The views are magnificent. You can tell the owners are really working hard to preserve and restore the property. When we looked it up it said it would take about an hour and a half to complete the tour but we were there for about three hours, really enjoying our visit and soaking it all in.

Carina Pissarra (8 months ago)
Beautiful and large castle. It's on the tip of the island, so from the outside it's very impressive and inside there are lots of places to visit, always with a view of the sea and olive trees. A beauty.

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