# Castiglione Thermal Basin **At a glance:** The Castiglione basin is the hydrothermal basin on the eastern coast of Casamicciola Terme, towards the boundary with Ischia town. Between the Castiglione and Bagnitiello hills, its hot springs reach right down to the sea. Already praised by Iasolino, today it supplies the Castiglione and 'O Vagnitiello thermal parks. ## Useful information - **Type:** Thermal basin - **Area:** [The Castiglione Coast](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/areas/castiglione-coast/) - **Address:** Località Castiglione, 80074 Casamicciola Terme NA - **Coordinates:** 40.747200, 13.926500 - **Where:** Castiglione coastal strip, towards the boundary with the municipality of Ischia - **Area:** Over 4,000 m² according to popular sources - **Water temperature:** Approx. 70 °C at the spring - **Special feature:** Springs that flow right into the sea - **Related facilities:** Castiglione Thermal Park, 'O Vagnitiello Thermal Park ## What is the Castiglione basin? The Castiglione hydrothermal basin is the easternmost of the four basins of Casamicciola Terme. It lies along the coastal strip towards the boundary with the municipality of Ischia, in an area of more than 4,000 square metres between the Castiglione and Bagnitiello hills and the shore. It is an unusual basin because its hot springs emerge right into the sea, creating spots where the thermal water mingles with the water of the bay. ## The springs The system includes the [Castiglione spring](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/castiglione-spring/) and the nearby [Bagnitiello spring](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/bagnitiello-spring/), together with other coastal springs. In this area fumaroles and springs are described as parts of a single geothermal system, an expression of the island's volcanic nature. ## The character of the waters Popular sources describe clear, limpid waters with a fairly salty taste, reaching around 70 °C at the spring. They contain alkaline sulphates and bicarbonates, sodium and magnesium bicarbonate and a high level of sodium chloride. Traditionally they were used above all for digestive and urinary complaints and for recovery after fractures and dislocations. **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. ## History The Castiglione waters have been known for centuries: Giulio Iasolino, in his 1588 treatise, ranks them among the island's most praised baths, and in the 17th century Castiglione was, together with the Gurgitello and La Rita, one of the basins that drew the first spa guests to Casamicciola. The Castiglione hill also has a more ancient past: archaeological excavations were carried out here in 1939, and local tradition places a Greek-era settlement on the site. In the 20th century the basin's story became bound up with that of Baroness Maria Ursula von Stohrer, who in 1936, with her husband, chose the Castiglione estate precisely because of its thermal water and, after 1953, devoted herself to reviving the old baths fed by the spring. This project gave rise to the [Castiglione Thermal Park](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/castiglione-thermal-park/), which has welcomed guests since 1977. A little further west, in the Bagnitiello bay, is the ['O Vagnitiello Thermal Park](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/o-vagnitiello-thermal-park/). This spring is linked to a legend told in the poem _Inarime_ by Camillo Eucherio Quinzi, published in 1726. ## Where it is and how to get there The basin lies in the [Castiglione coastal strip](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/areas/castiglione-coast/) area, along the road linking Casamicciola with the port of Ischia. You can reach it by car or by the public buses that run along the coast road, then walk down to the sea. The springs are inside or close to private facilities: access to the waters is through the thermal parks, whose seasons and opening hours are worth checking. ## What to see nearby - The [Castiglione Thermal Park](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/castiglione-thermal-park/) and the ['O Vagnitiello Thermal Park](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/o-vagnitiello-thermal-park/). - [Bagnitielli Beach](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/sea-and-beaches/bagnitielli-beach/), a small rocky cove below the hill. - The [Bosco della Maddalena](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/maddalena-wood-bosco-della-maddalena/) (Maddalena Wood) and the [Maddalena Trail](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/nature/maddalena-trail/), which climb towards Monte Rotaro. ## Frequently asked questions ### Where is the Castiglione basin? It is on the eastern coast of Casamicciola Terme, towards the boundary with the municipality of Ischia, between the Castiglione and Bagnitiello hills and the sea. It is reached along the coast road towards Ischia. ### Where can you try the waters of the Castiglione basin? The waters supply the Castiglione Thermal Park and, in the nearby Bagnitiello bay, the 'O Vagnitiello Thermal Park. Both are private facilities open seasonally, so check before visiting. ### Is it true that the hot water reaches the sea? Yes, sources describe springs flowing into the sea along this stretch of coast. It is one of the basin's most distinctive features, linked to the area's geothermal system. ### How long have the Castiglione waters been known? Giulio Iasolino was already writing about them in his 1588 treatise, and in the 17th century Castiglione was among the basins frequented for treatments in Casamicciola. The modern thermal park has welcomed guests since 1977. ## Also worth seeing - [Castiglione Spring](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/castiglione-spring/) - [Bagnitiello Spring](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/bagnitiello-spring/) - [Castiglione Thermal Park](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/castiglione-thermal-park/) - ['O Vagnitiello Thermal Park](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/thermal-spas/o-vagnitiello-thermal-park/) - [Bagnitielli Beach](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/sea-and-beaches/bagnitielli-beach/) - [The Castiglione Coast](https://visitcasamicciola.com/en/areas/castiglione-coast/) ## Sources and further reading - [Hotel La Maggioressa – Ischia: bacini e sorgenti termali di Casamicciola](https://www.hotellamaggioressa.com/it/ischia/) - [Terme d'Ischia – Castiglione, an oasis of peace and tranquility](https://terme.ischia.it/en/blog/175-an-oasis-of-peace-and-tranquility) - [Parco Termale Castiglione – sito ufficiale](https://www.termecastiglione.it/) - ['O Vagnitiello – Il territorio e la leggenda del Bagnitiello](https://www.vagnitiello.it/territorio.html) - [Discover Campania – Ischia, cento sorgenti per l'isola termale](https://discovercampania.it/en/explore-campania/territory/the-islands/ischia/territory/thermal-baths/ischia-one-hundred-springs-for-the-thermal-island) - [Wikipedia – Casamicciola Terme](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casamicciola_Terme) - [Dipartimento della Protezione Civile – Ischia](https://www.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/approfondimento/ischia/)