The largest of the Gulf islands with an area of about 50 square kilometres and a population of about 50.000 inhabitant, rises in front of the coast of the Flegraen Fields and from a geological and historical point of view it is an integral part of them.

Ischia is divided into six administrative zones (Ischia Porto; Casamicciola Terme; Lacco Ameno; Barano; Forio; Serrara Fontana ) and is well connected with Naples and Pozzuoli.

It’s of volcanic origin and mainly mountains with Mount Epomeo 788 m. at its highest point, it has a high rocky coastline with few inlets, besides a mild climate which makes it a busy vacation spot.

Ischia is an important health resort thanks to its many thermal springs and hot springs ( some flow at a temperature of 70°c.) that along with the steam vents testify to its volcanic activity. The last eruption however dates back to 1301.

Besides tourism, which can count on excellent hotels, the local economy depends on agriculture ( vineyards, which produce excellent wines, olives, and citrus fruits ), fishing and the production of its famous ceramics.

The main town of the island is of Ischia. On the northeast coast it consists of Ischia Ponte, the original fishing village with antique and important buildings like the Aragonese Castle and the Aragon’s bridge and the newer Ischia Porto, developed on the summit of a submerged crater. Among the other centres on the island we have Lacco Ameno and Casamicciola Terme on the northern coast, Forio, on the west, and Barano on the southern slopes of Monte Epomeo.

Already inhabited in the bronze age, the island was with the name Pithecusae, perhaps the first Greek colony in Italy ( VIII century B.C. ); in the IV century B.C. it passed to the Romans who transformed it into a splendid vacation spot. Degraded in the Middle-Ages by the devastations of the Barbarians it rebloomed in the XV century under the Aragons.