# Angelo Rizzoli and the Manzi Baths **At a glance:** Angelo Rizzoli (1889–1970), the Milanese publisher and film producer, was a driving force behind Ischia's tourism revival in the 1950s. In Casamicciola his name is linked to the purchase and rebuilding of the Manzi Baths and Hotel in Piazza Bagni, begun in 1952, on the very spot where Garibaldi had stayed in 1864. ## Useful information - **Type:** Famous people - **Area:** [Piazza Bagni and the Spa Quarter](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/areas/piazza-bagni-spa-quarter/) - **Period:** 1952 - **Coordinates:** 40.743600, 13.908200 - **Life:** Milan, 31 October 1889 – Milan, 24 September 1970 - **Link with Casamicciola:** Purchase and rebuilding of the Manzi Baths and Hotel (1952) - **Where:** Piazza Bagni - **Other projects on the island:** Regina Isabella baths and hotel, Villa Arbusto and the hospital in Lacco Ameno ## A Milanese publisher on Ischia Angelo Rizzoli was born in Milan on 31 October 1889 and died there on 24 September 1970. Founder of one of Italy's largest publishing houses and a film producer, in the early 1950s he discovered Ischia and decided to invest in the island, then far removed from international tourism. ## The “Ischia project” His plan, documented by local historians, centred on the combination of thermal spas and high-quality hospitality. Its focal point was Lacco Ameno, home to the Regina Isabella baths and hotel, frequented in the following years by actors, politicians and business leaders; there Rizzoli also bought Villa Arbusto, his private residence and now home to the archaeological museum. Also in Lacco Ameno he funded the island's first hospital, opened in the early 1960s and named after his wife Anna. Several films linked to his work as a producer were shot on the island, including _Vacanze a Ischia_ (Holiday Island). ## Casamicciola and the Manzi Baths In Casamicciola the project focused on the historic heart of the spa tradition, [Piazza Bagni](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/key-places/piazza-bagni/). In 1952 Rizzoli began the purchase and rebuilding of the [Manzi Baths and Hotel](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/manzi-historic-thermal-spa/), the establishment fed by the waters of the [Gurgitello basin](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/gurgitello-thermal-basin/), next to which [Giuseppe Garibaldi](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/history/giuseppe-garibaldi/) had briefly stayed in 1864. Sources also mention his intention to restore other spa buildings in the town, most of which were then abandoned. The project came at an important moment: the post-war revival also depended on restoring the historic spa establishments that had made Casamicciola famous in the 19th century. For the full picture, read [History of the Gurgitello](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/history/history-of-the-gurgitello/). ## Piazza Bagni and the Gurgitello The Manzi Baths overlook the area of the Gurgitello basin, on the eastern side of Piazza Bagni, at the foot of the Ombrasco hill. Its waters, which emerge at temperatures of between 60 and 65 °C, were already celebrated in the 16th century by the physician Giulio Iasolino, who called them the “queen” of the island's thermal mineral waters. It was this heritage, enjoyed for centuries, that Rizzoli sought to put back at the heart of Casamicciola's tourism. ## His legacy After his death the Provincial Tourism Board of Naples established the “Angelo Rizzoli” film award, first held in Lacco Ameno in 1972. In Lacco Ameno's main square, a bronze bust commemorates the publisher. ## What to see nearby - [Piazza Bagni](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/key-places/piazza-bagni/) and its historic baths. - The [Antiche Terme Manzi](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/manzi-historic-thermal-spa/), linked to both Garibaldi and Rizzoli. - The [Piazza Bagni spa quarter](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/areas/piazza-bagni-spa-quarter/), with the Gurgitello springs. ## Frequently asked questions ### What did Angelo Rizzoli do in Casamicciola? In 1952 he began the purchase and rebuilding of the Manzi Baths and Hotel in Piazza Bagni. It was part of a wider project to revive Ischia's spa and tourism industry. ### Why are the Manzi Baths also linked to Garibaldi? In June 1864 Garibaldi stayed briefly at the Manzi family's villa, next to the spa establishment of the same name. The next day he moved to Saverio Zavota's hotel at the Sentinella. ### Where are Rizzoli's other sites on Ischia? Mainly in Lacco Ameno, the town bordering Casamicciola. Here you will find the Regina Isabella baths, Villa Arbusto, now an archaeological museum, and a bronze bust of the publisher in the main square. ## Also worth seeing - [Piazza Bagni](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/key-places/piazza-bagni/) - [Gurgitello Thermal Basin](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/gurgitello-thermal-basin/) - [Antiche Terme Manzi](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/manzi-historic-thermal-spa/) - [Giuseppe Garibaldi in Casamicciola](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/history/giuseppe-garibaldi/) - [History of the Gurgitello](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/history/history-of-the-gurgitello/) - [Piazza Bagni and the Spa Quarter](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/areas/piazza-bagni-spa-quarter/) ## Sources and further reading - [Il commendatore Angelo Rizzoli – Pronto Ischia](https://m.prontoischia.it/articoli/isola-ischia/storia-ed-archeologia/il-commendatore-angelo-rizzoli) - [Angelo Rizzoli, lo zio d'America d'Ischia – IschiaSky](https://ischiasky.it/ischia/articoli/ricette-ischitane/ischia/news/ischia/ischia/articoli/ischia/articoli/capitoli-storici/ischia/ischia/articoli/ischia/articoli/cultura/angelo-rizzoli-zio-d-america-d-ischia.html) - [Angelo Rizzoli (1889-1970) – Wikipedia](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelo_Rizzoli_(1889-1970)) - [Ischia: i bacini idrotermali di Casamicciola – Hotel La Maggioressa](https://www.hotellamaggioressa.com/it/ischia/)