The Castello Aragonese is one sight that everyone, visiting the island of Ischia, should try and see!  Parts of the complex date back to the 4th century BC.  It was given its current name in the 1400s, when the small island, on which the castle sits, became the property of Alfonso I of Aragon.  Much of the visit to the site is outdoors.  So, dress accordingly!  In our case, we did get a little rained on.

The bridge you cross, to reach the castle, dates from 1411, and at the time, it was made of wood.  The wooden bridge was later replaced by the stone bridge we walk on today.

For some reason, once we purchased our tickets to the castle, we were directed, by the woman at the ticket booth, to enter via what was, on my last visit many years ago, the exit.  Even though I thought this was strange, we followed her instructions, only to find that we were the only two people heading in that direction.  All the others were walking towards us, as if they were leaving the site.  So, if you plan on visiting the castle, your visit might not be the same as what we experienced it, as I am sure we were misdirected.

We entered the site via a tunnel chiseled into the rock, which dates from 1411.  The holes, or windows, cut into the walls served two purposes: One, they allowed light to enter the tunnel; and two, they allowed rocks and boiling pitch to be thrown down on enemies, during attacks on the castle.

A few small rooms, at the end of the tunnel, host a display of weaponry, and instruments of torture.

The Cattedrale dell’Assunta was built in 1301, on the site of an earlier church, part of which has become the current crypt.  The cathedral was at its greatest glory during the Renaissance, when Vittoria Colonna and Ferrante d’Avalos were married here.  Today, sadly, it is mostly in ruins.

 

Next up: We continue our visit to the Castello Aragonese!

 

<em>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!</em>