The coast from ‘Punta Imperatore’ to ‘Punta Chiarito’, in the south-west part of the island includes varieties of wild and desolated moltens. An inviting and restoring Bay is the Bay of Sorgeto, which is the symbol of the spontaneous “thermalism” in this wonderful island. Volcanic rocks, boiling and mineral springs, sauna and therapeutical remadials, and all is in a amazing scenery and still wild situated in the south from Punta Chiarito. Several thermal traces flow along the entire Bay, but water gushes out of a unique spring plenty.

The spring comes out from the foot of the ridge at constant temperature of 90° C. The name “Sorgeto” derives from the thermal spings present in the Bay. During the 500’s, the Calabrian doctor G. Jasolino was the first to examine all the Thermal - mineral waters which are present in the island in order to study the different effective cures, he judges the hot current of Sorgeto “good for the caves, for coldness and sterility”. But it’s diffused the opinion about the baths in hot sea of Sorgeto, which cure illnesses like rheumatisms, cutaneous reactions or psoriasis, muscular contractions and other types of illnesses.

Beside the excellent holy wells of the mineral waters, the Bay of Sorgeto represents one of the most important and that cannot be renounced destination of a holiday in Ischia. The sweet warmth of the waters makes very interesting this experience especially during the Christmas time, when the sky is gloomy and the sea amazingly silent. In the bay is easy to met people of Ischia that usually recur to waters and stones of ‘tufo’ which are around for preparing mud baths. Meanwhile potatoes and chicken baked in foil are cooked under the boiling stones. In sum it’s a perfect place to pass a good day…or a romantic evening under the moonlight!

Recently the Bay has acquired also an archaeological fame. It’s the “Casa Greca” which dates back to the VII century B.C. founded in Punta Chiarito in confirmation of the fact that Ischia was one of the first colonies of the Magna Graecia. The place is not open to the public, but it’s possible to observe a re-building of the house at the “Museo Archeologico di Pithecusae” near the Municipality of Lacco Ameno. From Punta Chiarito began the Greek colonization of the Island, ended with the foundation of Pithecusae, first western Greek colony.

The access to the Bay is given by a wide staircase of 214 steps, an effort which will be very rewarded by the healthy benefits that the waters and the harmony of scenery offer. The visit to the Bay of Sorgeto is a good occasion to know the part of Panza with its Chiesa Madre consecrated to San. Leonardo Abate and its paths and the Church of Madonna delle Grazie. Typical are the niches situated at the entrance of the fields or habitations consecrated more to San Leonardo or to the Blessed Virgin. On the occasion of the Christmas holidays the village organizes plays, crafts made markets, performances, concerts and especially on January 6, which is the day of Epiphany, children dress up as the Magi and shepherds wandering round the town centre announcing the birth of the Infant Jesus.

Far be it from the system of tourism and still unknown, the Bay of Sorgeto is a small heaven where it’s possible to use free the thermae but also to know a cross-section of the life-style and the local traditions.