Negombo thermal park

Come on in. The water is fantastic.

Quite soothing and relaxing, in fact.

With the thermal pool — featuring hydro-massaging jets — kept at a constant temperature of 93.2 degrees Fahrenheit, I can understand why.

Sometimes, it’s little life events such as taking a day to pamper yourself that can do wonders to rejuvenate the soul, and thermal spas in Italy — particularly the region around Naples — abound. A recent trip to the popular Negombo resort on the volcanic island of Ischia proved worthy of its 28-euro entry fee (ticket bought from a tourist center at Ischia Porto for a 2-euro discount.)

Negombo thermal park

Negombo, set on the shores of the Bay of San Montano on the northwestern side of the island and splashed by the Tyrrhenian Sea, is considered one of the richest therapeutic basins in the region and a generous source of thermal water, according to an information packet doled out to visitors.

The park offers a number of “pools,” each designed to achieve a particular benefit. The thermal pools provide relaxation and are said to work toward the prevention of rheumatism, while the hydro-massaging jets stimulate circulation. The heat from the hamam, or Turkish sauna/bath, helps the body expel toxins and the private beach provides access to the sea for swimming and exposure to iodine, which benefits the thyroid gland.

Negombo thermal park

Negombo is more than a spa with thermal pools, however. It boasts lavish gardens designed by landscape artist Ermanno Casasco, who incorporated more than 500 varieties of Mediterranean and exotic plants throughout the park.

But quite honestly, while pretty, people don’t really go to Negombo for the gardens. They go for the thermal water spouts, the tufa sauna cave, or the “Kneipp” pool, which features two pools of water, one hot and one cold. Wading into one and then the other, with their contrast of temperatures, stimulates circulation and tones the body.

There’s the Olympic-size sea water pool, kept at ambient temperature, or the Jacuzzi with hydro-massaging jets and kept at a soothing, constant 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. (It seats eight and tends to remain full.)

And for the maximum indulgence, be sure to hit up the hamam, complete with a hot center stone on which patrons sit or lie to induce profuse sweating that causes the body to eliminate toxins.

Negombo thermal park

Bring a robe, flip-flops and bathing suit — this isn’t a no-clothes spa.

The healing properties and overall benefits of thermal waters have been used since the time of the Etruscans, some 800 years B.C.

DIRECTIONS: From Ischia Porto or Casamicciola, take public bus 1, 2 or CS for Baia San Montano. Get off at the San Lorenzo stop and follow the signs to the park.

TIMES: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

COSTS: It costs 30 euros per person at the resort, but tickets bought at Busfahrkarten ticket booth at Ischia Porto main square can save you 2 euros a ticket. Bus tickets cost 1.90 euros for 90 minutes.

INFORMATION: www.negombo.it/en 

Negombo thermal park

Come on in. The water is fantastic.

Quite soothing and relaxing, in fact.

With the thermal pool — featuring hydro-massaging jets — kept at a constant temperature of 93.2 degrees Fahrenheit, I can understand why.

Sometimes, it’s little life events such as taking a day to pamper yourself that can do wonders to rejuvenate the soul, and thermal spas in Italy — particularly the region around Naples — abound. A recent trip to the popular Negombo resort on the volcanic island of Ischia proved worthy of its 28-euro entry fee (ticket bought from a tourist center at Ischia Porto for a 2-euro discount.)

Negombo thermal park

Negombo, set on the shores of the Bay of San Montano on the northwestern side of the island and splashed by the Tyrrhenian Sea, is considered one of the richest therapeutic basins in the region and a generous source of thermal water, according to an information packet doled out to visitors.

The park offers a number of “pools,” each designed to achieve a particular benefit. The thermal pools provide relaxation and are said to work toward the prevention of rheumatism, while the hydro-massaging jets stimulate circulation. The heat from the hamam, or Turkish sauna/bath, helps the body expel toxins and the private beach provides access to the sea for swimming and exposure to iodine, which benefits the thyroid gland.

Negombo thermal park

Negombo is more than a spa with thermal pools, however. It boasts lavish gardens designed by landscape artist Ermanno Casasco, who incorporated more than 500 varieties of Mediterranean and exotic plants throughout the park.

But quite honestly, while pretty, people don’t really go to Negombo for the gardens. They go for the thermal water spouts, the tufa sauna cave, or the “Kneipp” pool, which features two pools of water, one hot and one cold. Wading into one and then the other, with their contrast of temperatures, stimulates circulation and tones the body.

There’s the Olympic-size sea water pool, kept at ambient temperature, or the Jacuzzi with hydro-massaging jets and kept at a soothing, constant 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. (It seats eight and tends to remain full.)

And for the maximum indulgence, be sure to hit up the hamam, complete with a hot center stone on which patrons sit or lie to induce profuse sweating that causes the body to eliminate toxins.

Negombo thermal park

Bring a robe, flip-flops and bathing suit — this isn’t a no-clothes spa.

The healing properties and overall benefits of thermal waters have been used since the time of the Etruscans, some 800 years B.C.

DIRECTIONS: From Ischia Porto or Casamicciola, take public bus 1, 2 or CS for Baia San Montano. Get off at the San Lorenzo stop and follow the signs to the park.

TIMES: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

COSTS: It costs 30 euros per person at the resort, but tickets bought at Busfahrkarten ticket booth at Ischia Porto main square can save you 2 euros a ticket. Bus tickets cost 1.90 euros for 90 minutes.

INFORMATION: www.negombo.it/en 

Pineta Mirtina, Ischia

Here the ancient and majestic pine trees dominate, the forest floor is composed of Arbutus, heathers, spurge, Lecci, phillyrea, brooms, myrtles. 

Then are the popular Asparagus and Mushrooms. The show, which increased the Pinewood offers a view of the spring, is a carpet of wildflowers along all paths. 

Pineta Mirtina

As testimony to the volcanic nature of the place is the widespread water vapor in the air: are the fumaroles and hot springs of groundwater. This very special microclimate has allowed the presence of special shapes of plants on the island and found only in tropical climates such as the famous "Papyrus of the fumarole" (Cyperus polystachius). 

In the lower part of the Pinewood demonstrates a number of sources of water including the source Mirtina whose water was even bottled and sold, and a large area with a stage dedicated to summer events and concerts.

Casa Museo Ischia

Cava Pallarito marks the boundary line between the town of Barano and Serrara Fontana. A place of other times, wild and fascinating, because it has not been distorted by human hands. Over the centuries only nature has transformed the site into a spell of purity and authenticity.

The tall oaks seem to touch the sky and clouds, an abundance of oaks and ashes.

That gorge carved by wind and water erosion is dominated by two high ridges, in one of which in ancient times was dug a cellar that farmers used to put the barrels of wine and the tools of the land. 

Going up a steep and long staircase there are caves and ravines that at the time served as a shelter for goats, mules and men.

This small kingdom was inherited by Salvatore Di Meglio, who is mason and is proud to have achieved his dream: to transform those environments in a "house museum". For more than fifteen years has been his home, there were born three sons, now adults.

Casa Museo Ischia

Although fond of that little paradise, he had to leave because it was too wet and cold during the winter. For a long time everything was in a state of disrepair. Only doves, hawks and other birds flew undisturbed around what might be called a small hive. But for about seven years there is new life in the desolate quarry, which for us residents and tourists was only a transit point.

Salvatore with his clear blue eyes peering in depth, spends many hours of the day in the museum. He welcomes the visitor with naturalness and simplicity, speak little and listen much. 

In his free time, he carves wood and stone creates so little masterpieces, which affect because they are very primitive in form, seem to belong to a remote world, whose we have lost track. The cellar is full of many tools that belonged to the rural life, small and large objects that are made everyday and we would not be able to admire and even excite touching, if Salvatore had not taken them available to all those who miss the past and our roots. But not only, this is important for the new generations, who must learn that history is made not only of the deeds of men, but also of the objects of which they have used.

Casa Museo Ischia

The long staircase leads to a terrace overlooking the quarry and the driveway. All around there is silence and the pungent fresh that comes from the gorge through the mountain. In the caves there are still hundreds of tools of a past era, stylized drawings on the walls, that Salvatore has made as smooth stones from the sea. 

There is also a tunnel called “The Cave of Fortune”, along which were hung many horseshoes, (the ancients used them against the evil eye), traveling, there is really a feeling of inner purification and positivity. 

Casa Museo Ischia

Other steps carved into the tufa, leading to the top, along the way the bleating of goats coming in and out of the various ravines, accompany the visitor with their eyes, magnetic and mysterious. Although out of breath, the emotion is deep when it comes to the big ridge of the high plateau, at that time one has the impression of having arrived on the roof of the world. The feeling is that the body and spirit, surrounded by wild nature, will rise toward other worlds.

I think the "house museum", with the candor of those who carried it out with such passion and without any pretense, can stimulate to dream, to fantasize, to surprise us. Like children who look at the world through the eyes of innocence.

Free admission.

Contatti Casa Museo 

Via ex S.S. 270 tra Buonopane e Fontana, 80070 Serrara Fontana, Isola d'Ischia, Italia 

Tel. 3497198879 - Email: dimeglio69@yahoo.com

Santa Restituta Museum

Ischia is a magical land where history, myth and nature intersect continuously until they merge. A privileged destination for nineteenth-century Grand Tour, that cannot be renounced for training program of every European traveller caught and that in all the lands of the Gulf of Naples could be reflected in the stories of the Greek and Latin classics. Not only myth, but also traditional and religious events such as those dedicated in May, to Santa Restituta, African martyr and patron saint of the island of Ischia.

And it is from the piety that comes to life a small archaeological gem worthy of careful attention to every visitor alive to the history and deepest identity of the places: the Museum of the ruins of Santa Restituta, an underground complex where the process of musealization occurred in the same places of the revival.

We are in the historical centre of the town of Lacco Ameno, whose physical configuration corresponds in principle to that one of the ancient Pithekoussai, Greek allocation dating back to the eighth century. B.C. of the urban setting well-defined: the necropolis in the Valley of San Montano, the acropolis of Monte Vico, the district metallurgical and manufacturing area of the excavations and the hill of Mezzavia, landing stores along the marina, which then enjoyed other spaces for bradyseism very different from those of today.

Santa Restituta Museum

The excavations are born thanks to the passion and tenacity of Don Pietro Monti, rector of the church dedicated to the worship of Santa Restituta, but also that bit of luck that turns in their favour small coincidences of life. At the dawn of the '50s, when was decided to remove the tiles which, since 1711, formed the floor of the church, it was discovered another floor below in majolica tiles of 1470. It was not over: it continued digging and came upon a beaten earth floor, even below a Roman floor and three late Roman tombs in earth.

Since that time, the exploration of the soil no longer has ended.

The excavations have allowed the researchers to identify both a cemetery and an "industrial" area where there were ovens for baking the clay. The vases were in fact Pithecusan processed and cooked at that point, only to be sold and exported throughout the Mediterranean Sea.

You can then observe, among the many findings come to light, shards and fragments of amphorae for wine, coins minted around the fifth century. BC, a rich collection of amulets in the shape of beetles imported from Egyptian cult, fragments of statues or plates depicting divine figures such as, for example, the Head of the nymph Arethusa (IV century BC) and the Head of Demeter (also dating back to the IV century BC). The cult of Apollo is witnessed by a patera (dish) containing votive projecting the image of the god lying smooth, that of Eros statue that depicts him as a young, naked, with his bow and arrows, and wings vigorously. And yet a lekythos of clay and black paint, clay antefix in red paint or even arula of white marble polished chisel dating to the third century BC. Tangible signs of woven and laminated succession of cultures and civilizations of the past.

Santa Restituta Museum

In a corner of the excavations of Santa Restituta was rebuilt the environment of a typical Pithecusan house. The weights of the frame, those that were tied to the ends of each group of warp threads, are original. In an urn are placed small clay toys (horses, donkeys, boats, dolls and birds) which entertained the children of the time. As rightly highlights the archaeologist Giorgio Buchner "Today the scientific purpose of the excavation is no longer to recover individual handsome objects but that one to know, through the media and other information gathered during the excavation, history of the populations of the past, understood not so much as the political history of kings and wars, but as knowledge of ways of life, the social structure of human settlements, trade indicated by the articles imported or exported for over regions, the mutual influences made between different civilizations".

One of the latest discoveries is the baptistery with a hall in the centre of the circular tank, "fenced with wall raised from the floor, covered with marble, with three steps to descend to be baptized by immersion. Conclusive evidence for the Christian complex, the largest island and the only ready to house - perhaps already in the mid-fifth century AD - the relics of Saint Restituta of Carthage.

Negombo thermal park

Come on in. The water is fantastic.

Quite soothing and relaxing, in fact.

With the thermal pool — featuring hydro-massaging jets — kept at a constant temperature of 93.2 degrees Fahrenheit, I can understand why.

Sometimes, it’s little life events such as taking a day to pamper yourself that can do wonders to rejuvenate the soul, and thermal spas in Italy — particularly the region around Naples — abound. A recent trip to the popular Negombo resort on the volcanic island of Ischia proved worthy of its 28-euro entry fee (ticket bought from a tourist center at Ischia Porto for a 2-euro discount.)

Negombo thermal park

Negombo, set on the shores of the Bay of San Montano on the northwestern side of the island and splashed by the Tyrrhenian Sea, is considered one of the richest therapeutic basins in the region and a generous source of thermal water, according to an information packet doled out to visitors.

The park offers a number of “pools,” each designed to achieve a particular benefit. The thermal pools provide relaxation and are said to work toward the prevention of rheumatism, while the hydro-massaging jets stimulate circulation. The heat from the hamam, or Turkish sauna/bath, helps the body expel toxins and the private beach provides access to the sea for swimming and exposure to iodine, which benefits the thyroid gland.

Negombo thermal park

Negombo is more than a spa with thermal pools, however. It boasts lavish gardens designed by landscape artist Ermanno Casasco, who incorporated more than 500 varieties of Mediterranean and exotic plants throughout the park.

But quite honestly, while pretty, people don’t really go to Negombo for the gardens. They go for the thermal water spouts, the tufa sauna cave, or the “Kneipp” pool, which features two pools of water, one hot and one cold. Wading into one and then the other, with their contrast of temperatures, stimulates circulation and tones the body.

There’s the Olympic-size sea water pool, kept at ambient temperature, or the Jacuzzi with hydro-massaging jets and kept at a soothing, constant 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. (It seats eight and tends to remain full.)

And for the maximum indulgence, be sure to hit up the hamam, complete with a hot center stone on which patrons sit or lie to induce profuse sweating that causes the body to eliminate toxins.

Negombo thermal park

Bring a robe, flip-flops and bathing suit — this isn’t a no-clothes spa.

The healing properties and overall benefits of thermal waters have been used since the time of the Etruscans, some 800 years B.C.

DIRECTIONS: From Ischia Porto or Casamicciola, take public bus 1, 2 or CS for Baia San Montano. Get off at the San Lorenzo stop and follow the signs to the park.

TIMES: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily

COSTS: It costs 30 euros per person at the resort, but tickets bought at Busfahrkarten ticket booth at Ischia Porto main square can save you 2 euros a ticket. Bus tickets cost 1.90 euros for 90 minutes.

INFORMATION: www.negombo.it/en 

Barano d'Ischia

Barano d'Ischia is a comune (municipality) located in the south-west area of Ischia island.

Municipalities of Ischia; Barano d'Ischia

It is after Forio the biggest comune of the island, yet not one of the most populated. Its territory is composed by several small villages: Buonopane, Piedimonte, Fiaiano, Testaccio (no one of this small villages has become a frazione) even if Testaccio was formerly an independent municipality.

Municipalities of Ischia; Barano d'Ischia

Barano d'Ischia borders the following municipalities: Casamicciola Terme, Ischia, Serrara Fontana.

It is the comune where the Island main beach is located; Spiaggia dei Maronti

Municipalities of Ischia; Barano d'Ischia

The area was first settled by the Greeks, who had a nymphaeum here.

Main sights include:

The Pilastri aqueduct (1470)
Church of St. John the Baptist (15th century), one of the most ancient in the island. It houses a canvas by a Caravaggist.
Saracen Tower, in the village of Testaccio
Windmills in Montebarano