The Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie, or the Church of Holy Mary of Grace, dates from the early 1500s.  The church is also known as the Chiesa della Madonna della Punta, or Our Lady of the Point, because of its location on the island.  It served as a place of worship, for the fishermen of Ischia.

One of the castle’s residents decided to accompany us, on part of our walk around the grounds.

The Chiesa della Madonna della Libera dates from the 1100s, but the structure we see today was built in 1301.  Originally dedicated to Saint Nicholas, during the last eruption of the volcano, which today is Mount Trippodi, the people of the island made a vow to the Virgin that they would dedicate a church to her, if the island was spared from harm.  The people and their homes were indeed spared from disaster, and so, the church was rededicated to the Virgin, as they promised.  We were planning to go for dinner later, on top of that mountain.

A painting of the Virgin, with her hands out, in the act of stopping the volcano’s flow, was placed on the high altar of the church.  Today, a copy by the artist, Antonio Cutaneo, is on display here, while the original is now kept in the cathedral of Ischia.

With our visit to the castle finished, we made our way back to the apartment, to rest before dinner.

As I mentioned earlier, we had made a reservation for dinner at a restaurant, on top of the mountain.  We also reserved a car and driver to take us there, and drive us back, once we were finished.  Years ago, I had been to the restaurant, Il Bracconiere, and I loved it!  Their specialty was Coniglio all’Ischitana, or rabbit cooked in the Ischian style.  It is an amazing dish, and I recommend anyone traveling here, to try it!  We ordered a house antipasto, and the rabbit, and we had so much food that it was almost comical!

The antipasto began with fresh, whipped ricotta.

There was also a panzanella, or an Italian bread salad.  From that point on, the dishes simply kept coming.  Soon, there was not even one inch of the table, not covered by a plate.  As soon as we finished a dish, and the plate was removed, another one took its place.

One of my favorite plates, of the entire meal, was a pasta and bean dish, served in a small round loaf of bread.  I could not get enough of it!

After the incredible antipasto, we still had an entire rabbit, and French fries!

Of course, no dinner would be complete without a digestivo, and some desert!

 

Next up: We spend our last day in Ischia Porto, exploring more of the town, and then, have lunch on the beach!

 

Note: This blog is written in English, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any translations that may appear.  If you have enjoyed this post, please, check out our archives for more posts from Ischia, as well as other Italian destinations.  Grazie!