Particular Thermal Springs in Ischia

Ischia springs are known since remote times: they have been studied and classified according to therapeutic features by many Italian and foreign scientists, starting from 1300. Hot and boiling waters are used in baths and thermal gardens; there are as well small springs on some beaches and streams of spouting hot water gushing into the sea as well as steam spouts with gases gushing from cracks in the soil (fumaroles). Fumaroles can be observed on the slopes of the Epomeo, particularly in cold days, or are located into small caves , called “stoves”, and idiomatically “sudatori” or “sudaturi” (from the Italian verb meaning “to perspire”) which are used as a kind of sauna in baths and thermal gardens. Springs and spouting steam can be considered as the manifest sign of Ischia volcanic origins and of the still persisting volcanic activity. The particular features of the subsoil, due to its structure and chemical composition affect the minerals content and the degree of infiltration of sea and rain water . According to many scientists’ opinion location and features of the springs are affected by the combination of the above mentioned factors. The most ancient springs are those of Casamicciola, consacrated to the god Apollo, those of Lacco Ameno consacrated to Hercules, those of Citara in Forio consacrated to Venus Citarea, and those of Barano consacrated to Nitrodi Nymphs.

Gurgitello
This group of springs was called by Romans “Gurges” because of a steaming stream flowing towards the sea nearby Pio Monte della Misericordia. It was considered by the historian Giulio Iasolino the most important spring of the island of Ischia. It is located in Casamicciola Terme, on the eastern side of Piazza Bagni, at the foot of the hill called Ombrasco, few metres deep and 30 metres above the sea level. It has a surface of 12.000 m2. Here flow together all the springs of Ombrasco called Gurgitello, Stomaco, Cappone (Cappone means “Capon” and according to references by Iasolino the name derives from the fact that water tasted like capon broth), Oro, Argento, Ferro, cala dell’Ombrasco and Santa Maria del Popolo. Water from these springs is very limpid, colourless, odourless, with a taste a little salted and alkaline; they are slightly oily and occasionally sparkly. Temperature slightly varies between springs: it fluctuates between 60°C and 65°C. Water is salt-bicarbonate-alkaline. So it is used to cure diseases of the digestive apparatus and metabolic disturbances, cerebro-spinal deseases, respiratory mucous diseases and desease of the uro-gentitalia, post-traumatic aches derived from lesions, luxations, fractures and so on. Thermal mud from the same spring is supposed to be able to shoote rheumatic and articulations pains, since 1800