Bagnitiello Spring

A spring that flows into the sea

The Bagnitiello spring – “'O Vagnitiello” in the local dialect – lies in the small bay of the same name, west of the Castiglione headland, along the coast of Casamicciola Terme. It belongs to the Castiglione hydrothermal basin: on this stretch of coast, hot springs and fumaroles are described as parts of a single geothermal system. The spring water flows straight into the sea and, mixing with the salt water, creates small warm pockets among the rocks.

The bay and the area take their name from the ancient hot spring that surfaces here. Bagnitielli Beach is not a sandy beach but a small rocky cove, sheltered and surrounded by greenery.

The waters

The available sources give no specific analyses for the Bagnitiello spring. The waters of the Castiglione basin, to which it belongs, are described as clear and limpid, with a rather salty taste, rich in sodium chloride, sulphates and alkaline bicarbonates, with temperatures at the spring of around 70 °C.

A note on health. Information on the properties of the waters is of historical and general interest only and is not medical advice: thermal treatments should be taken only at licensed establishments and on a doctor's recommendation.

The legend of the Bagnitiello

A mythological tale linked to the spring appears in the poem Inarime, o i bagni di Ischia (Inarime, or the Baths of Ischia) by Camillo Eucherio Quinzi, first published in 1726. It tells of Acmenus, son of a spring nymph, who fell into a torrent while trying to leap across it. No one heard his cries, and he called upon the gods: Jupiter, moved to pity, turned him into a spring, promising that his waters would bring relief to the sick.

How to get there

The bay lies on the Castiglione coastal strip, a few minutes from the centre of Casamicciola, along the coast road towards Ischia. It can be reached by car or by the public transport that runs along the coast road; from there you walk down to the sea. Access to the bay is through the 'O Vagnitiello Thermal Park, which manages entry and facilities: it is advisable to check opening times and arrangements in advance. The seabed is rocky and pebbly, so water shoes are useful.

What to see nearby

• The 'O Vagnitiello Thermal Park and Bagnitielli Beach.
• The Castiglione spring and the Castiglione Thermal Park.
• The seafront and Piazza Marina, in the centre of Casamicciola.