Monday, May 26, 2008

Flowers




Some flowers I spotted in my parents garden yesterday..

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

More holiday pictures from Ischia

Ischia ,a small Island near Napoli ,comes in various colours.




Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Ischia - a short history



Pictures taken by me May 2008



Ischia Island History And Culture, Italy
The earliest human settlements on the island date back to the 8th Century B.C., when the Greeks landed on the island and founded the colony of Pithecusae (today known as Lacco Ameno), on Monte Vico. The colony soon became an important commercial center for the Etruscans, the Phoenicians and the Egyptians who came to purchase goods in ceramics, bronze, iron and other metals that were worked on the island. After about 5 centuries, the island came under the control of the Romans, who were the first to discover the benefits of the thermal spas.

From the few remaining accounts of the Medieval period, we have learned that Ischia was attacked by the Goths, the Lombards and the Normans and was finally conquered by the Swabians who stayed in power for 100 years. A difficult history and not just from a political point of view: Until 1301, the island was hit several times by the eruptions of the Epomeo, the last one in 1301. Once the Swabians had left the island, the French and Spanish fought to rule the island.

Over the next few centuries, the population increased slowly, concentrating their dwellings along the coast. The island was divided into six boroughs: Ischia, with the largest population, Casamicciola, partly destroyed by the 1881 earthquake, Lacco Ameno, Forio, Barano and Serrara Fontana.

The island economy was based on agriculture until the 19th century, which was not intensive but which aimed to provide a living for the people. The exceptions were the lemon groves, the vineyards and fishing. The economic boom started in the Sixties, when Ischia's tourist potential first became apparent: artists, poets and actors fell in love with the splendid climate, the crystal clear sea, the luxurious vegetation and the thermal spas that spilled out in many areas of Ischia.Ischia Island History And Culture, Italy
The earliest human settlements on the island date back to the 8th Century B.C., when the Greeks landed on the island and founded the colony of Pithecusae (today known as Lacco Ameno), on Monte Vico. The colony soon became an important commercial center for the Etruscans, the Phoenicians and the Egyptians who came to purchase goods in ceramics, bronze, iron and other metals that were worked on the island. After about 5 centuries, the island came under the control of the Romans, who were the first to discover the benefits of the thermal spas.

From the few remaining accounts of the Medieval period, we have learned that Ischia was attacked by the Goths, the Lombards and the Normans and was finally conquered by the Swabians who stayed in power for 100 years. A difficult history and not just from a political point of view: Until 1301, the island was hit several times by the eruptions of the Epomeo, the last one in 1301. Once the Swabians had left the island, the French and Spanish fought to rule the island.

Over the next few centuries, the population increased slowly, concentrating their dwellings along the coast. The island was divided into six boroughs: Ischia, with the largest population, Casamicciola, partly destroyed by the 1881 earthquake, Lacco Ameno, Forio, Barano and Serrara Fontana.

The island economy was based on agriculture until the 19th century, which was not intensive but which aimed to provide a living for the people. The exceptions were the lemon groves, the vineyards and fishing. The economic boom started in the Sixties, when Ischia's tourist potential first became apparent: artists, poets and actors fell in love with the splendid climate, the crystal clear sea, the luxurious vegetation and the thermal spas that spilled out in many areas of Ischia.

(by Nozio)

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Ischia - an Italian Jewel






some holiday impressions from my trip to Ischia.. a beautiful place to relay and enjoy nature..