By the name of Ischia Ponte (Ischia Bridge) we indicate the historic centre of Ischia, in order to distinguish it from the most recent centre of Ischia Porto, risen around the harbour. It is located on the seashore, in front of the islet with the Castle, joined by a bridge which once was also the main landing point of Ischia, with ships anchored in the bay and the fishermen's boats which carried people and goods in and out of the island. The islet with the Castle was called "Ischia Minore" (Ischia Minor) in the Middle Ages, while the rest of the island was called "Ischia Maggiore" (Ischia the Greater). Upon it they were built the first Governor's Palace and the Cathedral for the Bishop.

The definitive transformation of the islet of Ischia Minor into a fortress with the Castle belongs to the end of 15th century and it was done by the King Alphonso of Aragona, after he conquered Naples. Ischia enjoed the Aragonese party since from the Sicilian Vespers and lived periods of variable fortune during the wars againts the Angenvins. For that reason Alphonso chose Ischia as preferential residence (except the main quarter in Naples) also for his Renaissance Court: during the whole Aragonese reign the Castle of Ischia lived in splendour as an aggregation point for noblemen, artists and poets. Inside the town walls they were built several noble palaces and churches.

Alphonso of Aragona made also build the entrance tunnel to the town and the wood bridge which joined it to the island of Ischia. On the entrance of the bridge a small village of fishermen rouse, called Borgo di Celsa because of the mulberry trees growing there. During the 18th century the noble families living in the fortress left their palaces inside the Castle and came down to the village, building new houses along the main streets going inland, so the old and simple seafaring village grew up to becoming a small town. Also the small medieval chapels were transformed into elegant baroque churches. Among them we cite the Church of the Augustinians, which became the new cathedral when the Bishop left the previous one inside the Castle.

Inside the old town walls you can visit: the former Cathedral of the Assumption built in the 13th century, where they celebrated in 1509 the magnificient marriage between Ferrante of Aragona and Vittoria Colonna; inside its crypt there are some frescos of Giotto's scholars. The convent of Santa Chiara's nuns belonging to the 16th century, with the cloister and the cemetery. The Church of St.Peters built in the 16th century, with its characteristic hexagonal plan. The Church of the Immaculate Conception of the 18th century, with its imposing dome which overhangs the Castle and its panoramic balconies. The Church of Our Lady of Graces of the 16th century. And finally the panoramic terrace with olive trees facing the South and looking at the easterly side of the island.  [ More...]