Thermal waters
The island of Ischia is not only rich in thermal springs with numerous therapeutic virtues, it also boasts a fortunate geographic position which guarantees ideal climatic and environmental conditions for restoring the body and the spirit on the entire island: the rocky cliffs of Epomeo, the vineyard cultivation on the gently rolling hills, the relaxing pine groves, the fresh sea breeze, the beaches and the abundance of suggestive panoramas make the ancient land of Inarime a sweet, enchanted garden where one can enjoy the benefits of the springs of eternal youth.
Gold mines, so the doctor Giulio Jasolino renamed the hot springs on the island of Ischia in a famous book dated back to 1588. It could not be more reliable opinion, since he had dedicated to the healing waters long and extensive researches for years. These had helped to identify the 29 basins from which flow the 103 thermal springs spread throughout the island territory. Jasolino had already shown that each source has its own peculiarities and healing properties, as it was also verified by our contemporary researchers. The Romans were the first to dive into these waters and noticed the particular richness of the island, a consequence of its volcanic origin. But the intense eruptive and seismic activity which reaches its climax at that time, prevented the Romans built the Baths.
However, the benefits of water were a source of wellness for the islanders, who attended theNitrodi spring, in Barano. A miraculous fountain surrounded by wild nature that the ancients identified with the abode of the Nitrodi Nymphs, to which dedicated bas-reliefs votive. And then there isCavascura always in the municipality of Barano. A place that still evokes deep impressions, with pools carved in the rock where flows water, which acquires its healing qualities by contact fire smoldering in the depths of the island.
The medicinal water can be drunk, as in the case of Nitrodi, can cure digestive diseases, kidney and urinary tract. Or it is possible bathe, particularly suitable for skin diseases, rheumatism, nervous system, the circulatory and urogenital systems.
But Ischia is famous for muds, useful for rheumatic and gynecological diseases. The clay matures for six months in tanks containing mineral water, strictly controlled in its purity, and the mud obtained is then used for therapies. Always the thermal waters are used for inhalation treatments that treat chronic inflammation of the airways.
The exploitation of thermal waters on the island dates back to the early decades of the seventeenth century, in Casamicciola, where there are two of the best thermal basins, La Rita and Gurgitello, not far from the coast. They arose in the town, favouring a fast growth. It was the beginning of tourism on the island, which was developed mainly after World War II. Rizzoli re-launched the ischian spas in the 1950s, building of large hotels with spas on the coast of Lacco Ameno, where flows the source of the Regina Isabella. Since then, the receptive capacity of Ischia has grown nonstop. Over 300 hotels, mostly equipped with thermal pools of hot water, represent the vanguard in Europe and a reality, as witnessed by the modernity of the thermal plants.
The service level offered to customers in the structures of Ischia is very good. The traditional treatments are combined with massage, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and corrective exercises, sauna. According to a growing tendency, spas have become places of psychophysical wellness for the individual. So also on the island the hotels have combined best-equipped beauty farm spa baths with fitness, nutrition care and beauty treatments. The whole advantage of the benefits of a healthy environment and ecologically healthy, is able to promote a peaceful and pleasant stay.
The island of Ischia is the only place on earth where nature and man's efforts have succeeded in creating the wonders that are the thermal parks, including the largest: Giardini Poseidon, Parco Termale Negombo, Parco Termale Castiglione.In the most scenic places of the island, visitors can enjoy thermal pools of varying degrees, set in lush gardens, private beaches, traditional departments for care and services of high quality.
The 1301 eruption, which originated the trachytic flow from the Arso, was the last one to ever happen on the Island. However, the differential bradyseisms, the earthquakes and the exhalent - hydrothermal manifestations in particular, show that the magmatic field on Ischia is still active. 
During the ten-year period from 1988 to1998, 83 thermal establishments located near springs and wells that are important to the reconstruction of the water circulation plan were monitored. The samples were drawn periodically in the communes of Casamicciola (22 thermal establishments), Ischia (28 thermal establishments), Forio (17 thermal establishments), Serrara Fontana (7 thermal establishments), Lacco Ameno (7 thermal establishments) and Barano (2 thermal establishments).
The eruptive and tectonic history of the Island of Ischia is very complex and the surveyed age of its volcanic materials dates back to 150,000 years ago. Volcanic activity on the island of Ischia includes two distinct cycles: the first developed between 150,000 and 75,000 years ago and the second cycle started with the great eruption that generated the green tuff of Mount Epomeo and is characterised by consistent vertical movements that concern the central part of the island.
