From the Terrace of Olive Trees youll start making your way down through gardens filled with gorgeous flowers, cacti and with views either out to sea, across to Procida or towards Ischia Ponte. Aragonese Castle is a medieval castle next to Ischia, at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples, Italy. Near the end of the tour youll get to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption (you can also visit the crypt), then theres one final viewpoint before you take the lift back down to the castle entrance. Sitting dreamily in one of the windows is a much sought-after photo op, so expect to have a bit of a wait to get your perfect Instagram moment. Your visit to Castello Aragonese will start with a walk down a long tunnel from the ticket office to a lift thatll take you straight up through the rock a fantastic surprise if you were expecting to climb up to the castle buildings. Possibly because if you take the elevator up and down youll never pass the exhibits. Be sure of your position before leasing your property. 
From the culture filled centre of Naples to the relaxing thermal spas of Ischia. They ran out of money before the church was finished and had to sell the Convents silverware to get it somewhat complete. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk. Combine the city of Bologna with the beautiful Tuscan countryside in one trip. In 1823 the powerful Bourbons of Naples turned this building into a prison, and from 1851 political prisoners were held here alongside criminals. The GTA market is VERY demanding and one mistake can lose that perfect pad. 
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the NHS have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. Our offers include room upgrades and board upgrades. In 1860 Ischia became part of the newly-unified Kingdom of Italy and the castle passed to the state. 
Your digging led you this far, but let me prove my worth and ask for references! Leading off the Terrace of the Immaculate Conception, this church was built sometime after 1737 and was commissioned by the Convent of the Poor Clares (more of them in a minute). Both cafes are rather pricey for both food and drink so you might prefer to eat in Ischia Ponte. At Citalia, we are committed to working with trusted partners and making sure that their hotels meet our standards to give you the peace of mind that you can holiday safely. 13th century: There are struggles between the Swabians, Angevins and the Aragonese. Download the latest Italian hotels and villas for your 2022 holidays, Start preparing your dream holiday with the help of Citalia's Italy Experts, Stay up to date and receive the latest travel news, offers and new hotels on our network. The nuns were forced to leave and the ruined castle was used as a prison.
If youre staying elsewhere on Ischia or youd prefer not to walk from Ischia Porto, then the number 7 bus runs from the islands main bus station behind the port. There was a convent on the island at this point. 4th century BC: The Romans founded a city called Aenaria at the foot of the rock. Tickets to visit Castello Aragonese cost 10 for adults and 6 for children. Today the castle is the most visited monument of the island. You found me for a reason. Mergellina railway station is about 500m from Mergellina harbour. At busy times you may need to queue to take the lift from the castle entrance up to the top; its very small and doesnt carry very many people at once. This wasnt the healthiest of habits and many of the nuns contracted serious diseases often bad enough to put them into the cemetery for an unexpectedly extended stay. What you see at Castello Aragonese today is the result of hundreds of years of volcanic eruptions, battles and power struggles. Future plans, financial benefits and timing can be huge factors in approach. Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. Getting to Castello Aragonese is really easy. I love Ischia.
18th century: Most of the castle was abandoned, leaving only the fortress, the cathedral, the convent and the prison operational. 01293 - Calls are charged at your provider's local or national rate. From Ischia Porto you can then either walk to Ischia Ponte (3km around 45 minutes and a very pleasant walk) or catch the number 7 bus from the bus station behind the port. Middle ages: During medieval times Ischia was called Insula Major, so the castle rock was called Insula Minor to distinguish it from its much larger neighbour. All rights reserved. The period of its maximum splendor took place in the 16th century: the Aragonese Castle hosted the convent of the clarisse, the abbey of the Basilian monks of Greece; there were also 13 churches, including the famous cathedral where the wedding between Francesco Fernando dAvalos, marquis of Pescara and the leader of the imperial soldiers of Charles V, and the poet Vittoria Colonna was celebrated in December of 1509. No matter their experience level they agree GTAHomeGuy is THE only choice. We've been helping our customers to discover the very best of Italy for 90 years, 8 Day suggested multi centrefrom 1,099 per person. My clients come from a diverse background, some are new to the process and others are well seasoned. All the rooms are set in the historic buildings though with lots of original features so the simple furnishings really let the history shine.
Mistakenly the article says the restaurant is for guests of the hotel only, but this is not true, however tables especially now, may be limited so book early.
document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/. please do let me know in the comments. Thanks! Theres a restaurant for guests, supplied by the castles own vegetable garden. Thats not a bad thing though, as theyre all beautiful and are dotted with little churches and look-out points. This post contains affiliate links all that means is that if you buy something as a result of clicking on a link in the post, Ill receive a small commission that helps me with the costs of running this site. This relatively unexplored corner of Italy is awash with culture, history and authentic cuisine. 5th century BC: Gerone of Syracuse established the first settlement on the rock. Copyright IsclaTravel - P.I. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. From the Ischia harbour you can take a bus number 7 at bus terminus in Trieste and Trento square, a few metres from the harbour. The little houses, the colourful cottages, the fishermens houses with geraniums and basil on the windowsills. If you chose to board from Calata Porta di Massa, in Naples harbour, after the exit gate on the motorway follow the directions for Napoli zona portuale, then for Calata Porta di Massa. Combine two of Italy's stunning lakes all in one trip. The modern-day Castello Aragonese is so beautiful that you might not be expecting this part of the tour. Many of the rooms have sea views or views over Ischia Ponte, and the photos of the views at sunset look incredible. P.IVA: 07266570634. credits: rkestra.it Photos by Marco Albanelli.
At the end of the ring road leave at the first exit after the toll gate via Campana, follow the directions for the harbour and take a boat for Ischia Porto or Casamicciola. Aragonese Castle is a medieval castle next to Ischia, at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples, Italy. Theyve been claiming that card payments are coming soon for the last two years but when I visited in September 2019 it was definitely cash only. It was purchased in 1912 by the ancestors of the current owners for 22 thousand lire. At the top of the lift youll start a 2km walking tour which will take you to all the key sights at the castle. 15th century: Alfonso I of Aragon built up the castle walls and excavated a tunnel inside the rock to allow pedestrian access up inside the rock. From this point on it was known by its modern name, Castello Aragonese (Aragonese Castle). For further information, visit the ABTA website at https://www.abta.com. Instead of being buried, the dead nuns bodies were placed on stone chairs in the cemetery underneath the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Citalia is a trading name of Specialist Holidays (Travel) Limited, which is part of the Travelopia Group of Companies. Castello Aragonese is one of the best things to do in Ischia and for good reason castles dont get much more dramatic than this medieval fortress on a rocky island. The Order of the Poor Clares were somewhat obsessed with death. First youll need to take a ferry from Naples to Ischia Porto. This 11 day multi-centre is packed with exciting things to do and see. In 1912, the castle was sold to a private owner. For more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: https://www.caa.co.uk/atol-protection/ . It opened to the public in the 1990s. You can buy the ticket at Eavbus office or on board at a higher price. Evening reservations at Il Monastero come with a ride up the elevator. Make sure you have cash to buy your tickets.
If youve visited more recently and they are accepting cards (hurrah!)
Albergo Il Monastero is a 3 star hotel, fairly simply furnished so not quite the opulent experience that you might expect from a hotel in a castle. In 1809, the British troops laid siege to the island, then under French command, and shelled it to almost complete destruction. You can buy your tickets at the ticket office at the entrance, straight after going through the arch at the end of the bridge. The Aragonese Castle in fact, a fortress dug in the rocks and positioned on the waves of the sea, was built by Alfonso V of Aragon in the middle of the 14th century and accessed through a tunnel; before the construction of the fortification on the island it was reachable only by the sea.
It was the home to 2,000 inhabitants of the island and has also been used as a prison in times of conflict. We will provide you with financial protection for any package holidays you buy from us that do not include travel by air by way of a bond held by ABTA. From the coastal glamour of the Amalfi Coast to the volcanic splendour of Ischia, this seaside escape is all about the views. The elevator up is not open, the walk up is worth it since its carved mostly out of the mountain and you can almost imagine boiling water being poured through the murder hole in the ceiling. Explore one of the worlds most glorious cities before heading to Italys largest lake. The first stop on the tour gives you your first sight of Castello Aragoneses real money shot a view across the bridge, Ischia Ponte, Spiaggia dei Pescatori (Fishermans Beach) and Monte Epomeo in the background. There were also thirteen churches. Its best to wear comfortable shoes and take some water with you. It dates back to 1564 and the windows were originally entrances to five chapels around the edge of the central space. Please see ourTravel with Confidence page for full details. Let me show you why my clients always refer me to their loved ones. In fact, the Aragonese Castle is one of the most important places that allow to develop and expand the tourism of Ischia, an island loved for its natural beauty, its landscaped scenery and its delicious, tasty and succulent food. The castle stands on a volcanic rocky islet that connects to the larger island of Ischia by a causeway. Eight day tour with an insight into one of Italys most stunning regions. There are ATMs in Ischia Ponte, although all the ones I saw were the scammy type with massive fees that I always try to avoid on holiday. The immense castle clings to the top of what was once a natural volcanic rock, and dates from as far back as 474 BC, although most of todays structure originates from medieval times.
At the same time, two towers were built to control enemy fleets' movements. The massive palaces, the residences of the aristocrats with secret gardens one can glimpse beyond the courtyard. Throughout the 20th century a series of owners restored and renovated the castle. The Castle is at the end of the main road which passes through Ischia Ponte. Once the flesh had entirely gone, the bones would be piled up in the ossuary and the chair would get a new occupant. The chairs had a hole in the seat, and a bowl underneath to catch the fluid as the body slowly decomposed. From Naples Capodichino International airport you can reach Molo Beverello (hydrofoil harbour) with the shuttle bus Alibus that directly connects the airport to the harbour. If you have no luggage and you like to walk, you can reach the Castle on foot, through Ischia high street, or skirting the beaches: it is a beautiful walk. I hope the posts here are useful and inspiring for your future travels. The official website suggests that guided tours of the castle are available but we werent offered one and I didnt see anyone else taking a tour. This is the prettiest building at Castello Aragonese; a 6-sided chapel with beautiful arched windows and views over the gardens and the sea. Castello Aragoneses hotel on Booking.com, How to visit Herculaneum (and why you should), 12 tips for visiting Pompeii (plus how to climb Vesuvius), How to take the perfect day trip to Bath, England, Procida travel guide: How to visit Italys most colourful island, Naples to Ischia ferry guide: The cheapest, fastest and best ways to get to Ischia, Giardini la Mortella, Ischia: visiting a beautiful garden love story. Explore Italys glittering waters, tranquil towns and historic cities on this guided tour.
Yes you can! This one has far-reaching views across the Bay of Naples. The living nuns used to spend hours each day meditating on death in the cemetery, surrounded by the decomposing corpses of their former sisters. If youre staying in Ischia Ponte its impossible to miss as the causeway bridge to the castle is in the middle of Ischia Ponte town in fact its what gives the village its name as Ponte is Italian for bridge. Our experience and expertise, together with our attention to detail and personal touch, really does make us the leading Italian holiday specialist. The tiny trachytic island on the eastern side of Ischia is connected to the island by a masonry bridge of about 220 m which led directly to the ancient village of Celsa, now known as Ischia Ponte.