There's something in the water...

Ischia is well-known for it's hot springs, mineral mud and thermal waters. But one thing not known to many - let's call it a well kept secret amongst the locals - is Nitrodi, more specifically La Sorgente di Nitrodi.

In the heart of Buonapane (good bread) a town in the hills of the southern part of the island, the healing water spring of Nitrodi was once considered sacred by Apollo and the nymphs of "Nitrodes".

Brief History (taken from www.fonteninfenitrodi.com)

In 1759 farmers discovered a series of votive images while they were digging trenches for the vines. These stones which are of great importance for the “bathing” history of the Island of Ischia are now at the National Museum of Naples. The twelve reliefs dedicated to Nitrodi’s Nymphs cover a period that went from the 1st century BC to the 3rd century AD, and they depict just a few of the many people of different social classes that visited the spring. One of the first women to be healed was Argenna, former slave of Poppea Augusta, who dedicated a votive relief to Apollo and the Nymphs hanging it in the sacred woods.

In the 1st century AD the doctor called Menippo “Menippos iatròs upalpinos” arrived in Nitrodi from Northern Italy. He was followed by two other doctors together with their assistants and students: “Aur (elius) Monnus” and “Num (erius) Fabius”.

A good friend of mine, once a Napoletano who now teaches history in New York, has extensive knowledge about the spring and it's healing powers. From his research he discovered that the Roman soldiers knew something about the powers of the Nitrodi spring and used to visit Ischia regularly after battle to heal their woundss. The healing power of Nitrodi not only assists mending of the skin but has extreme benefits from consumption. It has been known that to drink a glass of spring water a day can help as a diurectic, improve kidney functions, breaks down uric acid, assists in treatment of arthritis, treatment or improvement of gastritis and other gastric problems, helps reduce hypochloridia (condition of lower stomach acid causing indigestion, IBS), an optimal co-adjuvant in treating stomach ulcers, and possesses healing qualities at a cutaneous level: mucous membrane, heals varicose ulcers, wounds, abbrassions, burns, acne, and leaves your skin clean, soft and luminous.

These theraputic properties of the Nitrodi water have been recognised by the Department of Health in Act 3509 since 09 October 2003.

The park itself is owned by the Municiple town of Barano and entrance during operating hours will cost you around 15 - 18euro. These entrance fees allow the upkeep and maintenance of the park, however, by law, the water is not allowed to be kept from the public out of operating hours, and so, you may visit Nitrodi early in the morning or late in the evening if you wish to enjoy the benefits of the water at no cost from the large storm water pipe through which the water is redirected after closing. The water is cold so I would suggest making the payment and visiting on a sunny day, making use of the facilities (which are very basic) and sun beds, change rooms and toilets. The park is divided up into sections so for instance if you are visiting for medical reasons, there are more private cubicles available but I recommend to get there early. The park is open from 10.30am in May and October and from 09.00am from June to September. The park is closed for the months of November through to April, but as I mentioned before, the water is released for your continued use. If you are just visiting out of curiousity, make sure to take with an empty water bottle as there is a fountain tap at the entrance for public to fill up on the spring's drinking water for free. The water does have an acquired taste and can be quite heavy on a first-timer but the benefits are well worth the endurement.

Leave me a comment if you have any other questions?