Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
brightly painted fishing boats, bronzed flesh, lurid beach umbrellas and mothers on bal-
conies calling in their chubby kids (or husbands) for lunch.
Chiesa di San Pietro
(cnr Corso Vittoria Colonna & Via Gigante, Ischia Porto; 8am-12.30pm & 4-7.30pm)
Check out this church's 18th-century baroque extravaganza, with its fetching convex
facade, semicircular chapels and elevated terrace popular with flirty teens and gossipy
si-
gnore
(women). Grab an ice cream from the nearest gelateria and absorb the
dolce vita
at-
mosphere.
CHURCH
Santa Maria della Scala
(Via Luigi Mazzella, Ischia Ponte; 8am-12.30pm & 4.30-8pm)
A striking 15th-century
watchtower, Torre del Mare, now serves as the bell tower to Ischia's cathedral. The cur-
rent church, designed by Antonio Massinetti and completed in 1751, stands on the site of
two older churches, one built in the 13th century and the other in the 17th century. Step in-
side its peeling interior and you'll find the original 14th-century baptismal font, a
Romanesque wooden crucifix and a wistful 18th-century canvas by Giacinto Diano.
CHURCH
Museo del Mare
( 081 98 11 24; Via Giovanni da Procida 2, Ischia Ponte; adult/reduced €4/free;
10.30am-12.30pm & 3-7pm Mar-Jan; )
If you are an old salt at heart (or have a pen-
chant for model ships), don't miss Ischia's maritime museum with its lovingly documen-
ted exhibits. Objects include cult ex-votos (offerings to the saints) from sailors to saints,
ancient urns, beautifully crafted model ships and revealing photographs of island life in
the 20th century, including the arrival of Ischia's very first American car in 1958 - you
can just imagine what a celebratory occasion that must have been.
MUSEUM
