In the Mediterranean Sea, in the Bay of Naples, lies the beautiful Italian isle of Ischia.
Below, are WanderFull's top three must visit places within this island paradise.
#1 Castello Aragonese d' Ischia
The Castello Aragonese d' Ischia was built in 474 B.C. by Hiero I of Syracuse. Since its construction, the medieval castle has been occupied by the Parthenopeans (ancient people of Napoli), Romans, Spanish, and French. The castle has housed monks, nuns, and Ischians fleeing for their lives from pirate attack. While there, make sure and visit the castle's many churches and the Nun's Cemetery. For more information on the Castello Aragonese d' Ischia, visit: http://www.castelloaragoneseischia.com/en/.
#2 Trattoria Il Focolare
Nestled in the mountains above the bay, an ancient tradition has been preserved by the D’Ambra family of Trattoria Il Focolare; the breeding and culinary preparation of the Ischian cave rabbit. The Italian word for rabbit, coniglio, comes from the verb “to burrow.” The ancient farmers of Ischia used the tunnels and caves created by vineyard agricultural practices to raise rabbits. The rabbits are raised, in caves dug up to 3 or 4 meters deep, where they dig burrows that branch off from the caves. This means they live in a very similar environment to their natural habitat, and can move and dig freely, making their meat firmer and more flavorful. Originally, two small, hardy breeds, the Liparina and a’ Paregn, were raised. Cave rabbits today are the product of cross breeding. Ischian cave rabbits are fed fruit tree trimmings, fig leaves, vine shoots and greens.
Visitors to Trattoria Il Focolare can see and taste this ancient tradition being practiced first hand. Ricardo D’Ambra, trattoria owner and Slow Food farmer, shares cave rabbit history with his many guests;
“When I was growing up here, we had cave rabbit on Sunday, only on Sunday. So, when we started our own program, we had to talk to the old timers to discover how it was done, create the caves, feed the rabbits and so on and so forth. Now there are three of us doing this, with the backing of Slow Food. The demand for these rabbits is far bigger than the number we can produce, but not many people want the bother of looking after the rabbits. It’s far too much trouble. But for us the rabbit is a symbol of the land of Ischia, of our – our! – agricultural and social history.”
Today, cave rabbits are considered a disappearing foodway and are supported and protected by the Ischia Slow Food movement. Slow Food president Carlo Petrini says that, “The rabbit is the culinary symbol of the island. It represents peasant wisdom: nothing is wasted."
For more information about the Trattoria Il Focolare, visit: http://www.trattoriailfocolare.it/.
#3 Museo Archeologico di Pithecusae
The Museo Archeologico di Pithecusae (Pithecusae's Archaeological Museum) is located in the Villa Arbusto complex in Lacco Ameno, Ischia. The museum is filled with interesting artifacts from the ancient Phoenicians, Greeks, and Italians. A must see for any history lover!
To learn more about the museum, visit: http://www.pithecusae.it/lingue/english.htm.
No matter the interest, Ischia has something to offer everyone! Been to Ischia and have your own must see list? Let us know at: thehoosierhistorian@yahoo.com or leave a comment on our "About" page.
Want more pictures of Ischia, Italy by JL Musgrave? Visit:
To learn more about Ischia's cave rabbits and the slow food movement in Italy, visit:
https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/slow-food-presidia/ischia-cave-rabbit/
http://asummerintheislands.com/cave-rabbit/
http://www.post-gazette.com/life/food/2010/12/30/Days-of-Wine-and-Rabbits-It-s-always-the-year-of-the-rabbit-on-this-tiny-island-in-Italy/stories/201012300226
http://trattoriailfocolare.it/
https://www.summerinitaly.com/guide/rabbit-ischia-style
http://shooterfoodblog.dailymail.co.uk/2012/06/how-to-cook-rabbitslow-food-style.html
http://www.ischiareview.com/coniglio-allischitana-recipe.html
http://asummerintheislands.com/pot-rabbit/
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