As we neared the actual town of Forio, in the middle of the road, there sat a large rock that, over the years, has been shaped by the sea air into a form resembling a wave.
Nearby, at Via Giovanni Mazzella, #100-102, you can see the Scogli degli Innamorati, just off of the road, in the water. This natural formation is made up of two large tufa rocks that, over the centuries, have been shaped by the wind and the sea. According to the locals, the rocks resemble two human profiles about to exchange a kiss, thus the name of the formation.
The Municipio di Forio, or the Forio Town Hall, is housed in the former Convento di San Francesco.
At the end of the road, on the waterfront, there sits the Chiesa del Soccorso.
The Chiesa del Soccorso dates from 1350. It is probably the most famous church, on the entire island. Not only has it been featured on postage stamps, but it has also been the subject of numerous photographs and paintings, over the years. We even have a painting of it, done by a local artist, hanging in our living room. It is a symbol of Forio, and of Ischia, and it is quite beautiful, when seen in its natural settings. The church suffered damage in the 1883 earthquake, when the dome was destroyed, but it was quickly rebuilt, and it has been open to the public ever since.
The votive models of ships, you see along the walls of the church, were given by grateful survivors of shipwrecks, over the years.
Next up: We continue to explore the town of Forio!
<em>Note: This blog is written in English, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any translation that may appear. If you have enjoyed this post, please, check out our archives for more posts from Forio, as well as other Italian destinations. Grazie!</em>