# Monte Cito **At a glance:** Monte Cito is a hill in the western part of Casamicciola Terme, on the boundary with Lacco Ameno, known for its fumarole field: here steam reaches temperatures close to 100 °C and colours the ground white, purple and yellow. Alunite was once mined here; today the Alum and Celario trails cross it. ## Useful information - **Type:** Mountains and volcanic craters - **Area:** [Upper Casamicciola](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/areas/upper-casamicciola/) - **Address:** Via Montecito, 80074 Casamicciola Terme NA (al confine con Lacco Ameno) - **Coordinates:** 40.739100, 13.895400 - **Where:** Western hills of Casamicciola Terme, on the boundary with Lacco Ameno - **Key feature:** Fumarole field with maximum temperatures close to 100 °C (Civil Protection Department) - **History:** Former alunite mining site; alum was obtained from the mineral - **Flora:** Fumarole papyrus (Cyperus polystachyos) - **Trails:** Alum Trail; Celario – Monte Cito – Crateca trail ## Where it is Monte Cito lies in the western hills of Casamicciola Terme, above the village of Fango in Lacco Ameno and west of [Piazza Maio](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/key-places/piazza-maio/). The road that skirts it, Via Montecito, runs through both municipalities. It is a modest hill, partly covered by chestnut woods and scrub, that stands out for a rare feature: one of the hottest fumarole fields on the island, overlooking the Gulf of Naples. ## The fumarole field According to Italy's Civil Protection Department, the hottest fumaroles on Ischia, with maximum temperatures close to 100 °C, are found on the slopes of Monte Nuovo and Monte Cito and along the Maronti coast; elsewhere emissions do not exceed 46 °C. On Monte Cito the steam and acidic gases chemically alter the rocks, which take on white, purple and deep yellow hues. A fumarole is a spot in the ground from which water vapour and gases of volcanic origin escape. Water circulating underground on the island is heated at depth by the volcanic system and rises to the surface as steam along faults and fractures. According to INGV, Ischia is characterised by intense hydrothermal activity, documented since the early 16th century, with a close relationship between the hot-water circuits and volcano-tectonic processes: thermal waters, fumaroles and hydrothermal springs are a sign that the island's magmatic system is still active. Ischia is monitored by INGV's Vesuvius Observatory, which also carries out regular sampling of water and gases; the alert level set by the Civil Protection Department is green. Find out more about the fumarole field on the page devoted to the [Monte Cito solfatara and fumaroles](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/monte-cito-solfatara-fumaroles/). ## The alum mountain The same transformations brought about by the hot fluids produced deposits of alunite, the mineral from which alum was obtained. Monte Cito was one of the mining sites: the material was carried along the old Via Crateca, the “via dei carri” (cart road), to the processing area at Piazza de La Pera, known as “Caulare” after the boilers in which it was treated, and from there to the port of Casamicciola. The tanks, the green tuff dry-stone walls and the processing waste can still be seen along the [Alum Trail](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/alum-trail/). ## The fumarole flora The heat and humidity of the ground create a special microclimate in which the fumarole papyrus (_Cyperus polystachyos_) grows, a plant typical of tropical regions that on Ischia survives only next to the steam vents. All around, chestnut woods, broom, myrtle, heather and mastic complete the landscape. ## How to get there - **From Piazza Maio**: along the [Celario – Monte Cito – Crateca trail](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/celario-monte-cito-crateca-trail/), about 3 km to Crateca. - **From Fango in Lacco Ameno**: along the Alum Trail, which after Monte Cito climbs to the Piazza de La Pera and descends to Piazza Maio. ## Before you set out Before walking to the Monte Cito area, check with the Town Council of Casamicciola Terme or local guides on whether the trails are passable, and respect any bans. ## Tips for your visit - Stay on the trails: near the fumaroles the ground is hot, crumbly and may give way. - Do not touch the emissions or lean over the steam vents; hold children by the hand. - Do not collect minerals or plants: the area is a fragile natural heritage site. - Wear hiking shoes and bring water. ## Frequently asked questions ### Where is Monte Cito? In the western hills of Casamicciola Terme, on the boundary with Lacco Ameno, between Piazza Maio and the village of Fango. ### How hot are the Monte Cito fumaroles? According to the Civil Protection Department, they are among the hottest on Ischia, with maximum temperatures close to 100 °C, like those of Monte Nuovo and the Maronti. ### What was mined on Monte Cito? Alunite, a mineral formed by the action of hot fluids on rock, from which alum was obtained. It was carried along the old Via Crateca to the processing area and on to the port of Casamicciola. ### How do you reach Monte Cito on foot? From Piazza Maio on the Celario – Monte Cito – Crateca trail, or from Fango in Lacco Ameno on the Alum Trail. Before setting out, check whether the trails in the area are passable. ## Also worth seeing - [Alum Trail (Sentiero dell'Allume)](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/alum-trail/) - [Monte Cito Solfatara and Fumaroles](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/monte-cito-solfatara-fumaroles/) - [Celario – Monte Cito – Crateca Trail](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/celario-monte-cito-crateca-trail/) - [Trail from the Maio to Monte Epomeo](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/trail-from-maio-to-monte-epomeo/) - [Piazza Maio](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/key-places/piazza-maio/) ## Sources and further reading - [Dipartimento della Protezione Civile – Ischia, rischio vulcanico](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/en/approfondimento/ischia-0/) - [Ischia.it – Il sentiero dell'Allume](https://www.ischia.it/sentiero-dell-allume) - [Ischia.it – Celario, Montecito, Crateca](https://www.ischia.it/celario-montecito-crateca) - [Komoot – Campo fumarolico di Monte Cito](https://www.komoot.com/highlight/3916268) - [INGV – Ischia, pubblicata la prima carta dei complessi idrogeologici dell'isola (2024)](https://www.ingv.it/en/urp-press/Press-office/Press-releases/Ischia-publishes-the-first-map-of-the-island%27s-hydrogeological-complexes) - [INGV Osservatorio Vesuviano – Ischia, inquadramento](https://www.ov.ingv.it/index.php/monitoraggio-sismico-e-vulcanico/ischia-3/ischia-inquadramento) - [OpenStreetMap – coordinate dei luoghi](https://www.openstreetmap.org/)