Aragonese Castle (Italian: Castello Aragonese) is a medieval castle in
Ischia Ponte.
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| Ischia Island from the Aragonese Castle |
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| Ischia Island from the Aragonese Castle |
The
castle stands on a volcanic rocky islet that connects to the larger
island of Ischia by a causeway (
Ponte Aragonese).
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| The Aragonese Castle |
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).
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| The Aragonese Castle |
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| The Aragonese Castle |
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.
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| The Aragonese Castle |
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, under the French command, and shelled to destroy almost completely. In 1912, the Castle was sold to a private owner. Today the castle is the most visited monument of the island.
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| The Aragonese Castle |
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| The Aragonese Castle |
Nowaday, the
Aragonese Castle 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.
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| The Aragonese Castle |
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| The Aragonese Castle |
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.
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| The Aragonese Castle |
From the
Aragonese Castle you have many panoramic views to Ischia Island, to the closest islands; Vivara, Procida and Capri and also to Naples Bay.
We higly recommend you to visit it, it really worth it! You will spend a really pleasant and quiet moment. We were impressed by the beauty of the place and the surrounded views.
The Aragonese Castle of Ischia is open all year, seven days a week, from 09:00 am until sunset.
Adults // € 10,00
Groups (from 20 people) // € 9,00
Children aged 10-14 and companions of the disabled and blind // € 6,00
Children aged 0-9 and disabled people with proof of disability (over 51%) // Free
The tour lasts approximately an hour and a half.
The tour path is accessible by elevator or by foot.
Pets are welcome.
Along the tour path you will find two cafes and a bookshop.
Contact
Telephone +39 081 992 834 / +39 081 991 959
info@castelloaragonese.it
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