Ischia – Italian Open Water Tour

On July 19, 1799, the nobleman Pasquale Battistessa faced his final moments after a failed execution for his loyalty to the Neapolitan Republic. He was dragged to the altar of the Church of San Pietro in Ischia and killed, leaving behind a legacy of political upheaval that contrasts sharply with the serenity of these waters today. Swimmers arriving for the Ischia stage of the Italian Open Water Tour find a seascape defined by such volatile history, now offering a much more peaceful experience in the Tyrrhenian Sea.

A volcanic landscape

As you navigate the course, the island's geological drama unfolds beneath and around you. The imposing silhouette of Mount Epomeo rises 788 meters above the sea; though often mistaken for a volcano, it is actually a tectonic horst, a block of crust pushed upward by subterranean pressure. The coast itself bears the scars of the 1302 eruption, which birthed the Arso lava flow. This massive stream of molten rock reached the northeastern shores, permanently reshaping the coastline and forcing the islanders to abandon their homes for four years. Today, this rugged boundary provides a stark, dark-toned backdrop to the race, serving as a reminder of the island’s restless core.

Life in the deep

Beyond the geology, the waters surrounding Ischia are a sanctuary for marine life. The Gulf of Naples acts as a primary corridor for cetaceans, and it is not uncommon to spot fin whales or sperm whales patrolling these deep, nutrient-rich depths during the late season. The race distance options, ranging from 926m to 6000m, keep you close to the Aragonese Castle, a tidal island that has been the island's focal point for centuries. Those looking for a different challenge in the same region can check out the Periplo Isola d'Ischia, which takes place just a week before our event. If you look toward the castle walls during the swim, you might reflect on the 1809 siege, when an Anglo-Bourbon fleet bombarded the structure, leaving the cathedral in its current, hauntingly beautiful semi-open state. For those interested in the more macabre history, the Monastery of the Clarisse features an underground cemetery where 16th-century nuns were once mummified in seated positions, a practice meant to remind the living of life's ephemerality as they meditated in the dark.