Church and Convent of Sant Antonio, Ischia Porto

Located at the southern end of the Fisherman's Beach (Spiaggia dei Pescatori), the Chalet Primavera restaurant runs down a short Rampe San Antonio lane. At the end of it you can see the church belonging to the oldest monastery on the island, which is still active today (Convento di Sant'Antonio).

According to historians, the monastery was founded in 1225 by local residents who survived the terrible pestilence epidemic that covered the island in the early 13th century.

The monastery was dedicated to Saint Francis and there is reason to believe that this is the first monastery of this order in Campania. The monastery was built in the forest of Fiaiano (La Pineta Fiaiano) and during the eruption of 1301 was destroyed by a lava flow.

A few years later, the monastery was rebuilt on a deserted beach between Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte, and a church was built nearby, dedicated to Saint Anthony. The church was rebuilt in 1740, receiving a new facade and bell tower. Now it is a beautiful example of Neapolitan Baroque

The monastery belonged to the Order of St. Francis until the beginning of the 19th century. Above the portal you can see the Franciscan symbol-two hands under the cross. The naked hand belongs to Christ, wearing the habit of Saint Francis, which means imitating the service of Christ and imitating him in everything for the rest of your life.

Since 1806, the building became the abode of Clarissines who moved from the Castle of Aragon, and in 1911 they were replaced by monks from the order of Friars Minor (Frati Minori, a kind of Franciscan), who occupy part of the building to the present day. The other half houses a public library.