Forio
Welcome to Forio: The Largest Municipality in Ischia
Hello everyone! Today I will be talking about Forio, a municipality located in the western part of Ischia, an island famous for its thermal baths and enchanting beaches. With its 13.08 km² territory, Forio is the largest municipality on the island and has a population of about 17,450 inhabitants. I invite you to discover all its curiosities and places of interest to visit together.
Physical geography
Forio is located in the western part of the island of Ischia and boasts the presence of enchanting places such as Citara Beach and Pietra Bianca Island. Do you know the latter? It is a beautiful island in front of Citara Beach that can be reached by boat. An experience not to be missed if you find yourself in these parts.
Origin of the name
The history of the name Forio is rather interesting. According to some scholars, the term derives from the Greek "chorìon" (village), while for others, the name derives from the Greek "phòros" (fertile). There is also a legend that tells of a castellan of the Castello Aragonese (Ischia) who, tired of living with four thousand people, said "Fuori io!" ("I'm outta here!") and went to the other side of the island to found Forio. Who knows which of these hypotheses is the most truthful?
History
Forio has an ancient history that is rich in events. Over the centuries, it has undergone several invasions by the Saracens, which have left indelible marks on the culture and architecture of the town. In the post-war period, instead, Forio saw a great cultural ferment thanks to the presence of many international artists, attracted by the beauty of the places and the friendliness of the residents.
Monuments and places of interest
But now let's explore the monuments and places of interest in the municipality. Religious architecture is particularly interesting, in fact, there are numerous churches to visit. One of the most important places is the Church of San Carlo Borromeo, dating back to 1620, which has a Latin cross plan and a single-nave hall. Inside, you can admire the wooden statue of the Madonna della Libera, an eighteenth-century work highly revered by the local community.
The Church of San Gaetano, instead, dating back to 1655, features paintings by Alfonso Di Spigna, one of the greatest artists in the region. The church of S. Maria al Monte, instead, dates back to 1596 and offers a panoramic view of the hill from which it takes its name. The church of S. Maria Visitapoveri dates back to the seventeenth century and is dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie. Interesting is the double façade that overlooks the square of the Municipality on one side and the courtyard on the other. Last but not least is the Church of San Leonardo Abate, which is located in the center of the village of Panza and dates back to before 1536.
Conclusions
As you can see, Forio is a municipality that is all to be discovered, with an ancient history and a very interesting cultural heritage. I recommend that you visit all the churches present in the municipal territory, but above all, enjoy the natural beauty of the place, such as Citara Beach and Pietra Bianca Island. I assure you that you will not regret it!
