Ischia, April 11. Fontana, Monte Epomeo, Serrara, Pilastri and Porto di Ischia
Sunrise in Ischia Ponte
From the very beginning of my stay on the island, the idea of meeting
the
sunrise on the seashore did not leave me, but it still did not work out -
the sky was overcast, then a strong wind, then I overslept...On the
last day, an inner voice woke me up at five-thirty in the morning...read more 
Fontana Village
The ascent of Monte Epomeo starts from Fontana village,
the highest settlement on the island, which can be reached by bus.
Administratively, this locality is part of the city of Serrara Fontana,
so the Internet
walks infa that the road to the highest point of the island begins
there...read more
Trekking to Monte Epomeo
Getting off the bus in a small square in the center of the village of
Fontana, I headed down Via Epomeo. I must say that the street goes up
frighteningly steeply, which suggests the difficulties of the upcoming
ascent...read more
Church of St. Nicholas on Monte Epomeo
Since ancient times, the slopes of Mount Epomeo have served as a refuge
for local residents from frequent Saracen raids. The chronicles mention a
fortification near the summit that existed until 1465...read more
On the Top of Monte Epomeo
The name of the highest point of the island of Ischia is explained in
different ways - according to one version it comes from the Latin
Epomeus, which means "to look around", according to another - from
Epopon - which can be interpreted as "a place that dominates the
springs"...read more
Views from the peak of Monte Epomeo
There was a small landing at the top, surrounded by a natural stone
barrier. From here you can see almost the entire island. If you look to
the west, you will see Forio, the second largest city in Ischia, beyond
the summit of Monte Nuovo (519 meters)...read more
La Grotta da Fiore Restaurant, Monte Epomeo
After enjoying the stunning views from the top of Monte Epomeo, I headed down
the familiar path, which is a chute with steps in a white mass of soft
volcanic rock...read more
Monte Epomeo Flora and Fauna
...read more
Monte Epomeo. Downhill on a Mountain Path
After viewing the island from the top of the dormant volcano Monte Epomeo, I descend down the already familiar path. In some places, the path is squeezed by stone walls and turns into almost a tunnel...read more
Walk from Fontana to Serrara
After coming down from Monte Epomeo and looking into the little church
of
Fontana village, I took the CD ring line bus, hoping to reach the
village of Serrara. However,
at the second stop, the driver started a lively conversation with a
passing local resident, apparently a friend or relative....read more
Serrara Village
After about 15 minutes of leisurely walking along a road with scenic
views, I reached the village of Serrara, which is just a mile and a half
from Fontana. Serrara is the center of the smallest and highest
mountain commune on the island of Ischia, Serrara Fontana...read more
Belvedere of Serrara
The small village attracts tourists with a viewing platform called Belvedere, which is just a stone's throw from the Serrara bus stop. You can get here from almost anywhere on the island by bus on the CS and CD ring lines
...read more
Views from the Serrara Belvedere
...read more
Church of Santa Maria del Carmine, Serrara
Just a stone's throw from the Belvedere, next to the bus stop, is one of the oldest churches on the island. Previously,
the chapel of the Carmelite monastery dedicated to the patroness of the
order - Madonna Carmina, which was looted and burned during one of the
attacks of Turkish pirates, stood on this place...read more
Cappella di San Vincenzo Ferreri, Serrara
Above the church of the Madonna del Carmine in the village of Serrara, there is another small chapel...read more
Aqueduct in Pilastri
After climbing the summit of Monte Epomeo and walking
through the villages of Fontana and Serrara, I returned to the hotel for
lunch, since the daily ticket for 3.60 euros allows you to drive as
much as you want. After a short rest, I drove to the eastern part of the
island, where there is another attraction - Acquedotto dei Pilastri...read more
Porto di Ischia
The main harbour of the island, Porto di Ischia, was once a lake of
volcanic origin. The lake was formed during an earthquake that occurred
in the 3-4 century BC, which collapsed the crater of an ancient volcano...read more
Church of St. Maria di Portosalvo (Chiesa Santa Maria di Portosalvo), Ischia Porto
The
first architectural monument seen by tourists arriving on the island by
high - speed vessels is the port Church, a strict neoclassical
building, in front of which there is a statue of Christ the Redeemer...read more
Chinese Pavilion and Buchner Park, Ischia Porto
After passing the ferry docks, I headed for the peninsula that separates
the harbor from the sea. To get there, you need to cross the old
channel, or rather, what is left of it. The
water area of the current Porta di Ischia used to be a lake formed in
the crater of an extinct volcano and had no connection with the sea...read more
Around Porto di Ischia. Breakwater and Lighthouse
From Buchner Park, I returned to the beach and continued my walk around
the Porto di Ischia lagoon. opposite the park there is a parking lot for
boats and yachts with a crane for launching them from trailers...read more
Evening walk in Ischia Porto
This embankment is famous for the best (and expensive) restaurants, the menu of which consists of gifts of the sea. They say that during the season it is full of
people, but today the establishments were completely empty, despite the
"zamanukha"put on the street...read more