Forio, capital of the Green Island

About this activity

One of the largest and most densely populated municipalities in theIschia Island, as well as its capital city, is Forio. It rises on the western side of the enchanting green island and encompasses a great variety of different environments and microclimates that succeed each other in a balance that is nothing short of perfect. Describing this municipality is almost like recounting a world of its own that, although it is based in beautiful Ischia, is diversified by its peculiarities. To visit Forio is to discover the true tip of theisland because this environment, rich and full of surprises, is truly unique.

Discovering Forio d'Ischia

Considered the California of Ischia because of its beauty, Forio occupies about 25% of the island's territory, and offers striking scenery and spectacular sunsets. Thanks to its extension, the territory of Forio includes different environments: from the sea to the hills, all the way to the mountain peaks, including important thermal areas. The landscape-environmental richness of this municipality is astonishing, but it is also a place of stories and legends, the cradle of Italian literary culture.

In the center of Forio

A walk in the beautiful downtown, is an experience not to be missed. Along the main street of Forio one meets tourists and islanders who carry out most of their economic activities here. The historic center exerts a special charm thanks to the presence of noble palaces, typical narrow streets where ateliers of local painters and ancient ceramic workshops alternate with majestic churches rich in history and art.

The Market of Forio

Throughout the year, every Thursday, the grandiose market municipality of Forio. In the center of this municipality, precisely on the Matthew Green Course is home to what for many islanders is an obvious event that nonetheless holds great importance. Set against the large retail chains, displays of groceries from fruits to vegetables to seafood to the typical excellence of local gastronomy alternate with clothing stalls. Selected products with reduced costs that should be valued not only for their quality but also and above all for their origin, local and often zero-mile.

An international coffee at the Maria bar in Forio

Along the main street in the historic center of Forio, you can opt for a pleasant stop at a historic and charming bar bearing the name "International Café" or simply "Bar Maria," located in Pontone Square. This bar was, in fact, a true cultural coterie during the 1950s, when seated at its small tables set under a charming and fragrant wisteria arbor, they spent their evenings, illustrious figures of Italian culture such as Alberto Moravia, Elsa Morante, Libero De Libero, but also renowned artists international like the painters Eduard Bargheer, Aldo Pagliacci, James Dodrodzek. Encounters that fostered a special combination and made this place the cradle of culture and art. Today the bar is an important historical testimony but also a perfect place to spend time in total relaxation.

A natural phenomenon at the Church of St. Mary of Relief

Also very impressive is the famous Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso, which stands on the top of a promontory overlooking the sea, in the square of the same name. The church is dedicated to the patron saint of Forio: the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Snow and Rescue, who defends the island, holding special significance not only for the people of Ischia but also for tourists who come from all over the world to visit.

Erected in the mid-14th century in the Greek-Byzantine style, the church was built according to the canons of the ancient maritime municipalities, with a snow-white facade that stands out from afar and silhouetted against a spectacular sea background, especially bathed in the light of sunset. Sometimes, precisely during the setting of the sun, in this place it is possible to witness, under particular conditions, the striking optical phenomenon of the green ray. In the last moments when the sun sets hiding behind the horizon, a last ray peeps over the waves in a thin green streak that lasts only a few moments but captivates, leaving its viewers astonished.

The Torrione of Forio

On its promontory, in addition to the spectacular Church of Santa Maria del Soccorso, there is also an important historical testimony: the Tower of Forio. Symbol of the town of Forio, it is the tower tallest and most powerful that dominates with its mass the entire municipality, offering a truly breathtaking panorama. Because of its position, this structure defended the island from the frequent incursions of the Saracens and Turks, who in the past, attempted continuous raids to take possession of its spectacular lands.

Recently restored, it is now home to an important museum civic building that houses the works of Giovanni Maltese, a famous Forian artist who inhabited the Torrione from 1883 until the early 1900s.

The Ravino Gardens of Panza

The territory of the municipality of Forio also includes the hamlet of Panza. Here natural environments and spectacular gardens are the pride of the modest hamlet, which enchants anyone who goes there.

Relatively young, the Ravino Gardens were set up in 2006. Yet inside them it is possible to visit what for Capt. Joseph d'Ambra, is the collection of a lifetime. These, he collected, in fact, seeds of particular plants around the world during his many travels and planted them here where he developed a huge collection, which covers an area of 6,000 square meters.

What were initially small potted bonsai trees are now robust shrubby and tree-like plants that are no match for the specimens found in the lands from which they came.

A rich botanical garden where the beautiful collection of succulent plants belonging to a wide variety of botanical families, alternate with the ever-present lush Mediterranean flora. The name of the gardens, Ravino derives from the ancestors of the captain who, proud of his origins, comes from a family of workers of the prized green tuff of the island of Ischia.

Mortella Gardens

More ancient, however, are the enchanting Mortella Gardens. Their creation dates back to the 1950s and early 1960s at the behest of Susana Walton, wife of the famous English composer William.

The garden was opened to the public beginning in the 1990s under the particular name mortella, which in Neapolitan dialect means, the name of a plant: "divine myrtle" (Myrtus communis). This specimen abounds among the rocks of volcanic origin on the hill on which the garden is developed. Today La Mortella is presented as a botanical garden that covers about 2 hectares and consists of two zones: The Valley, designed by Russell Page, characterized by a subtropical climate and the Hill (or upper garden), entirely designed Lady Walton, characterized by the windy and sunny climate of Mediterranean areas. This second zone is enriched by the presence of special environments such as: the Thai room, the Temple of the Sun, the Crocodile Falls, the Nymphaeum, the Greek theater and the William's rock, a boulder located on a promontory about 120 meters above sea level, where the ashes of the artist and his wife are kept.

A museum, collects Walton's memorabilia and mementos while the garden collects more than 3,000 species of exotic and rare plants, enhanced by streams, ponds and waterways that allow the cultivation of aquatic plants such as papyrus, lotus blossoms and tropical water lilies.

Poseidon Thermal Gardens

Unique thermal park in the world is that of the Poseidon Gardens. This is the oldest and largest park on the island of Ischia, built in 1959 by German humanist Gernot Walde. The areas, rich in sources of thermal water, were chosen by the humanist to build a structure that for that era, represented a fundamental innovation.

Anticipating the concept of wellness, the Poseidon Gardens consist of some 22 spectacular pools, fed by hot thermal springs. These are considered curative, including for rheumatic diseases, traumas and fractures, thanks to their volcanic origins. The therapeutic effect is based on both the richness and variety of mineral salts and the beneficial effect of the high temperature of these waters.

An important place where health meets wellness and prevention, within the gardens, there is also a wellness center with aerosol installations and inhalation systems for the treatment of diseases affecting the respiratory system. A modern sauna complex flanks a large private beach equipped with lounge chairs and umbrellas. Several restaurants, one of which is located in a beautiful cave of local tufa stones, and a boutique with a newspaper kiosk complete the beauty of this facility.

The suggestive thermal waters of Sorgeto

An incredible location located in the hamlet of Panza, will leave you speechless. The beautiful natural cove of Sorgeto is an open-air thermal park where the warm waters of the hot springs, meet the cool waters of the clear Ischian sea.

The bay has a beautiful rocky beach of modest size where at one side, several springs have been carved out through a precise arrangement of rocks delimiting their spaces. Those closer to the shore (and therefore also closer to the outlet of the boiling hot springs), are warmer due to the smaller amount of seawater that pours into them. As one moves further out to sea, on the other hand, the thermal waters are more mixed with sea water and therefore also colder, gradually taking on the temperature of the sea.

Because of the thermal nature of Sorgeto's warm waters, it is possible to bathe among the bay's pools at any time of the year.

The dovecote of Forio: former villa of director Visconti

A truly unique complex in which the villa, now a foundation and museum dedicated to the famous personality of Luchino Visconti, is set in a lovely park adorned with hedges of hydrangeas and ivy.

The white villa is surrounded by two dependances, while the avenue is immersed in an immense park, mysterious and inaccessible. Located in the forest of Zaro, between Lacco Ameno and Forio, protected by dense vegetation and the rocky coastline it occupies a position that is difficult to reach.

Inside, marvelous Art Nouveau stained glass windows adorn the former Visconti mansion while Grecian flooring where pointed and ogive doors and windows frame breathtaking views overlooking the sea.

It is here that, in a corner of the huge complex's park, rest the ashes of its last owner, Luchino Visconti.

Historical background and interesting facts about Forio d'Ischia

In a compelling mix of natural settings and incredible landscapes, the history of the town of Forio is told. Defined in ancient times as part of the "lands of the sun," it was a highly coveted territory by Saracens and Turks who in multiple raids, attempted to grab dominance of the island.

The name Forio comes from the Latin floricium or florica, which would correspond to flower. Symbol of this municipality is in fact a flower, a rose that stands out on the coat of arms above three mountains. These peaks that meet are actually the mountains of Ischia: Mount Caruso, Epomeo and Emperor's Point. The flower is a symbol of fertility and as such the land of Forio is a rich and fertile land, one of the most beautiful and representative areas of the entire island of Ischia.