House of Professor Malcovati, Ischia Ponte

The house on the border of Ischia-Porto and Ischia-Ponte, far out in the sea is named Casa Malcovati (on map). In 1563, a small fort was built here with a watchtower to protect it from pirates. At first, the tower belonged to Augustinian monks, but in 1675 it passed into private hands. In 1789, a residential building was built on the site of the tower, then there were side extensions. Now only its massive base reminds us of the defensive purpose of the structure.

In the second half of the 20th century, the house was purchased by professor Fausto Malcovati, a famous physiologist who played a huge role in the development of Ischia as a SPA resort. In 1941, the doctor came into the hands of a book that tells about the therapeutic use of the thermal springs of Ischia during the Roman Empire. The scientist opened a small Spa on the island, the first patients of which were his friends.

Among them was the famous film producer agelo Rizzoli (he produced Fellini's films "Eight and a half" and "Sweet life"), who was fascinated by the island to such an extent that he chose it as his place of residence, buying a Villa in Lacco Ameno. Another patient was count Marzotto, which Malcovati healed from arthritis. The professor persuaded his famous patients to invest their capital in the development of the resort infrastructure, as well as using their connections in the business world, to attract other investors. The efforts of these people in the fifties was the start of turning a remote island into a popular international SPA resort.

Another friend of Malcovati was a Russian poet Joseph Brodsky, he twice visited the island. It was in this house that the poem "Ischia in October" was written:

    
Dedicated to Fausto Malcovati

Once there bubbling volcano.
Then - a breast pelican pecked himself.
Virgil lived nearby,
and U. X. Oden wine glushil.

Now is not the plaster palaces,
price and not the wrong account.
But I somehow make ends
term, deploying tarnished Rtsy.

Fisherman swims in ultramarine
posted from the balcony featherbeds,
Fall and sweeping mountain range
other sea, than a deserted beach.

My wife and daughter away from the balustrade
look, looking for piano
sails or balloon -
hushed bells strike.

Unthinkable as a result of distance,
island as a variant of fate
arranges a sirocco. But
and we are not prohibited

clap shutters. and drafts,
paper had pitched, are a sign
- quickly turn your head! -
that we are not alone.

Lime bonded shell,
fleeing from the pressure of the forehead,
salt, loose hammer
at dusk three yolk.

twisting bougainvilleas 1 monogram,
limited land,
Their written covering shame,
vegetation space revenge.

Few people; and, hearing the "you",
here made sharper features,
sure it, lenses like,
separates the landscape of persons.

And the finger when the word 'home' hand
willingly, than in the direction of the mainland,
will point in the direction of the mountains cumulus,
where the collapse and growing worlds.

We are here and three, keep couples,
the, that together we see, in three
Unaddressed times and blue,
than, what looked Aeneas.

(Translation from Russian brodskiy.su)