Treatment centres in Ischia

The wonders of the thermal water of Ischia have been known since ancient times: Strabone, in the first century BC and Plinio in the first century AD spoke of them as being like "gold mines" in the subsoil of the island. Even today there are remains of the Roman baths on the island.

Giulio Jasolino, a doctor settled in Naples, was the first one to study on a scientific basis the properties of the many springs existing on the island. The beneficial properties of the waters began to be exploited therapeutically from the first half of the XVI Century, after some of the main basins between the towns of Baia and Pozzuoli had run dry.

The beauty of the spots and the beneficial effects of its waters strengthened the touristic position of the island by making of it a resort of well-being. The demand for treatment even by the the poorer classes was such that the Bishop Fabio Polverini created a bathing establishment for the sick. In the meanwhile, some Neapolitan nobles had already fit ted out the first bathing establishment (called the Pio Monte della Misericordia) in the town of Casamicciola.

THE BATHS:

general

The ancient Town Baths were below the Palais Royal, just behind the Port of Ischia. Nowadays there are many other bathing, establishments drawing their waters from the springs of Fornello, Fontana and Pontano.

BARANO Nitrodi in Buonopane and Olmitello in Maronti are Barano's two springs. The Maronti springs can be reached taking a narrow street from the State Street 270 (SS 270) to Buonopane. Olmitello is close to Maronti beach, a 1500-meter sandy shore connecting Petrelle and Fumarole of S. Angelo. Due to its nearness to the thermal springs, the sand here is particularly suitable for medical treatments and sand baths. The waters are of salty-iodic and bicarbonate-sulphate type.

CASAMICClOLA

The tradition of thermal baths bears the name of the Gurgitello spring (80° temperature) located in the Bagni area. Tamburo, Occhio, Oro, Argento, Colata and Ferro are the names of some of the springs. Their waters are of salty-bromic-iodic type.

Forio

The main thermal area is Cetara with its huge basin feeding several establishments such as tile thermal resort Giardini Poseidon (Poseidon Gardens). The spring of Marina di Sorgeto is very busy. It is located between Capo Negro and Punta del Chiarito. This spring warms the cold sea water during the winter season. Also famous are the springs of CastaldiCotugno, Fumarole di Pizzo del Merlo, Bellomo and Stennecchia. Their waters are of sodic-chlorinated and hyperthermal type.

LACCO AMENO

Located on an area sloping towards the sea, Lacco Ameno is famous for the springs of Santa Restituta and Regina Isabella, both located at the feet of Mount Vico, and for the air-baths of San Lorenzo and the air-baths of Arbusto. The spring of San Montano is located at the back of its homonymous bay and feeds the thermal resort of Negombo. Its waters are of hyperthermal and salty-sulphate-alkaline-earthy type.

SERRARA FONTANA

The spring of Cavascura located close to the springs of Nitrodi and Olmitello is characterised by the high temperature of its waters of hyperthermal and salty-bromic-iodic type.