Castello Aragonese (Aragonese Castle)

Castello Aragonese is on a volcanic island, connected to Ischia by a 220 metre bridge. As one of the most secure and charming small islands in the Mediterranean, it has been occupied since ancient times: by the Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, Vandals, Arabs, Normans, Swabians, Angevins and others. The English shelled the island in 1809, because it was held by the French, and caused much damage. By turns, it was a castle, a palace and a monastery. Today, the island has a hotel, a museum, a castle-monastery garden, fabulous views and a wonderful climate. As everywhere in Europe, the remains of its medieval gardens are more to do with the place than the planting but there are planted walks, an olive grove, vineyards and a strong sense of history.