Pithekusa, the Ancient Greek name for Ischia, along with Parthenope, the forerunner of Naples, were two of the earliest places of Greek colonization in Campania. Greek settlements on Ischia were founded in the 8th century B.C. They were able to process iron ore from the isle of Elba. The exploitation of iron ore on Elba by the Etruscans had begun about 700 B.C.
Ischia town, with about 20.000 inhabitants, is divided into two very different parts - Ischia Porto and Ischia Ponte. The main port of the island is impressively circle - shaped. This was the result of a break-through to the sea from the crater of a small volcano in 1853/1854. The rather busy Ischia Porto merges smoothly with the restful older center, Ischia Ponte. Its name is derived from the causeway to the picturesque Castello Aragonese.
Ischia, the so-called "isola verde" (green island) is a well-developed tourist centre. It differs from Capri in the fact that you may go to Ischia with your own car. The crossing from Pozzuoli takes about an hour (allow for a waiting period in the high season!) and is quite affordable.
If you have no car there will be no lack of organized trips. Often season tickets for the bus lines are part of the package tour. From Ischia - in particular, if you live in Ischia town - you can easily plan for trips to Capri, Naples and even to Pompeii. Of course you should be ready to take one of the earliest ships. For Pompeii you may take the Circumvesuviana train to "Pompeii Scavi" (in the direction of Sorrento). If you want to guarantee a seat, you are better joining the Circumvesuviana line at the terminus, which is not far from the main station, where you may also enter the Circumvesuviana network.
Many thanks to Brian Williams for the revision and correction of the preceding
English text.
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