The Monumento al Redentore, or the Monument to the Redeemer, dates from 1903. It was designed by the engineer, Francesco Fusco, but the actual carrying out of the design was done by the engineer, Luigi Parisi. It sits in a small square, Piazza del Redentore, in front of the Chiesa di Santa Maria di Portosalvo.
The Chiesa di Santa Maria di Portosalvo is at Via Iasolino, #2, in the center of the port area. The church dates from 1854, and was built by order of Ferdinand II of Bourbon.
The statue of the Madonna della Salvazione is one of the painted wooden statues that adorn the left side of the church. The statue is dressed in fine fabrics, and for preservation purposes, it is kept behind glass.
The church also houses a statue of San Giuseppe Moscati. He was the first modern doctor to be canonized. The wooden sculpture, again behind glass, depicts the saint in his modern work clothes, holding a book in his left hand. He died in 1927, and was made a saint in 1987.
Ischia is famous for its hot springs. The thermal waters are everywhere on this island, which used to be an active volcano. One of the old thermal baths is diagonally across the street from the church, and now, it functions as a sort of community center/exhibition space.
A plaque on the façade of the old bath house honors Luigi Mazzella, who was responsible for its construction in 1880.
Next up: After a rainy evening, we begin Day 3 in Ischia Porto!
<em>Note: This blog is written in English and Spanish, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any other 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!</em>