In spring this year we spent a couple of days on gorgeous Ischia, one of the islands in the spectacular Bay of Naples. Our lovely friends Stephanie and Paul took us on a tour of the island on a rickety bus which hurtled around the narrow road at breakneck speed.
One of the highlights along the way was the pretty little church, Santa Maria del Soccorso, which sits on a promontory jutting into the sea, Punta del Soccorso.
The facade is a mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The church has had many transformations since it was rescued from an old Augustinian monastery founded in the 14th century.
The entrance is via a semicircular staircase decorated with polychrome majolica tiles.
The tiles are repeated in the wall around the church and on the cross at the side.
The interior is a cool respite from the heat of the day.
The site offers great views back into the island. Storm clouds seemed to be brewing, but they came to nothing.
Ischia is a place we want to return to. The island needs much more than a 2 day visit to see everything it has to offer.
Looks very cute!
By: Ticket to Adventures on November 11, 2016
at 6:48 am
Ischia is full of great things to see.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 11, 2016
at 10:05 am
Had to laugh over your description of the rickety bus hurtling around the roads and corners – like in a Harry Potter movie ? Those Itslian bus drivers are certainly confident tackling those precarious roads. The lovely result is a surprise around the corner ending up in a beautiful place like Ischia. Gorgeous photos, Deb!
By: Sandra Hoopmann on November 11, 2016
at 7:52 am
The bus is a great way to get around the island.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 11, 2016
at 10:06 am
What a lovely little church and you have some lovely shots of it.Deb, do you follow any Sicilian bloggers and /or any Expat bloggers living in sicily ? I would love a link to their blog if you do. Louise
By: The Year I Touched My Toes on November 11, 2016
at 8:23 am
Try Rochelle at sicilyinside&out.com.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 11, 2016
at 10:04 am
Oh fabulous thank you. 🙂
By: The Year I Touched My Toes on November 12, 2016
at 2:21 am
There is also thesicilianhouse.com
By: Debra Kolkka on November 12, 2016
at 3:08 am
It was featured in the movie Il Postino – it’s gorgeous
By: Liz Litzow on November 11, 2016
at 8:56 am
I don’t remember it in the film, must watch again.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 11, 2016
at 10:03 am
It is a beautiful church and the location is magic http://www.ischia.it/it/santa-maria-del-soccorso
By: Mulino Dominillo on November 11, 2016
at 10:36 am
The location is stunning.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 12, 2016
at 1:35 pm
We loved showing you Ischia and having you stay with us briefly last spring on your way south to Sicily. Yes, riding the buses on the island is quite an experience….not only the drivers and roads but the on and off bus polizia who are certainly “characters” not to be messed with!!!!! See you in Lucca next spring.
By: sealights99 on November 12, 2016
at 1:33 pm
I look forward to our next adventure.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 12, 2016
at 1:34 pm
Ischia figured prominently in Elena Ferrante’s “My Brilliant Friend” – so nice to see photos of it here to match up with the descriptions in the book.
By: polloplayer on November 12, 2016
at 1:42 pm
I must read the book. Ischia is fabulous, quite different from Capri, more like Naples.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 13, 2016
at 3:08 am
I am interested to try the spas on Ischia, so much to see and experience!
By: apollard on November 13, 2016
at 1:49 am
We were too, but we were a day early. They opened the day after we left….next year.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 13, 2016
at 3:07 am
We spent 7 days in Ischia with Steph and Paul! magical place and the church above was gorgeous when we visited
By: Carol on November 13, 2016
at 11:56 am
Definitely on my every growing “list” – love the photos, Debra!
By: PostcardZ from Victoria on November 19, 2016
at 4:22 pm
Reblogged this on Journal Edge and commented:
Beautiful Images, Thanks for sharing 🙂
By: Vikas Acharya on December 1, 2016
at 7:28 am
Reblogged this on Make Italy Yours.
By: Stefania Bufano on March 3, 2017
at 5:24 pm