Both, the Aragonese Castle and the Soccorso Church are two structures that the island of Ischia is proud to have. Particulary the latter is situated in a strategic location: very close to the center of the village and on top of an elevation overlooking the sea.This position is the reason why so many wedding ceremonies are celebrated there, especially in the summer. For whoever desires to visit the church we inform you that ii will be open every day, whith the exception of the museum (in the sacristy) that is generally open to public only on Sundays. Initially, the sanctuary was built in devotion to the Virgin of the Snow but was eventually named "Soccorso" ( help and protection) in the following centuries because many sailors prayed to the Virgin to ask for protection and calm waters during their travels.
History and legend of the Soccorso Church
Initially, the church was part of a convent (the convento degli Eremitani di S. Agostino or Augustinian convent of the Hermits), built about in the mid 1300's. There is an official report written by the prior in 1650, in which all the properties and financial incomes are listed. According to the contents of this document, the convent was surrounded by a number of plots, which were however, impossible to cultivate because of the extremely windy weather conditions that kept the crops from growing. The strong wind also caused the collapse of the hillside by which successively the promontory was formed were the church is situated today. This report was issued shortly after the Pope Innocenzo X, in 1649, ordered the suppression of all convents that were not able to support themselves economically, and its only purpose was to prove that the structure was active and working. Despite of this, the Hermits had to abbandon the convent around 1654, leaving the church, that was modified many times throughout the years. At first it was very simple but in 1791 the Chapel of the Cross was added and in 1854 a splendid cupola was erected. Unfortunately all this was destroyed during the earthquake in 1883, and today there are only some paintings left, that show the former appearance of the church. The blue sky is a contrast to the structure and bright white colour of the facade, the tiles are from the 18th century and depict scenes from the Passion of Christ. The center of the church is definitely the Chapel of the Cross, where there is a cross preserved from 1400, about wich a famous legend is told. It narrates about some sailors that found this cross in the sea while being stuck in a thunderstorm on the island of Ischia, and decided to take it inside the convent to protect it. According to the tradition, after the thunderstorm had ceased, the sailors tried several times to take the cross outside again but the door would close by itself every time and therefore it was impossible for them to get out.. Consequently, they decided to leave the cross inside the church as a protection for all the sailors that would happen to pass by the island of Ischia. However it must be added, that because of the conformation of the sea around the island, it was often known for continuous shipwrecks. There should also be mentioned the wooden Maddona with the Rod, which was made after an excorcism and shows the Virgin Mary while holding a rod and crushing the devil's head with her foot.
Interior of the church
The church has a beautiful churchyard which today is a museum. It's bordered by a flight of steps constructed in two semicircles leading to a terrace, from where you can admire the splendid sunsets by the sea of the island of Ischia. The interior of the church is very simple with a typical basilical plan, a central nave and three lateral chapels. What impresses most once you enter the church, are the alternating vaults with characteristics that are totally different from one another. The first one is a barrel vault, then follows a cross vault and one with spherical pendentives. The inside is decorated with maiolica tiles and paintings, that were donated by sailors as votive offerings. There is also an impressive series of ship models, a testimony of how these people were strongly bound to the sea. On the left side we find the chapel of the Cross, which is closed by two iron railings with a marble medallion on each side (taken from the cathedral) and two beautiful paintings. While observing the arc of the chapel you can see cherubs made out of paper mache. There is not much left of the original pavement, except in the apsidal area. A series of paintings of the 1700's showing scenes taken from marine life, like sailors recuperating some wine barrels from the water and families on boats that are going outward on the sea. On some of these paintings you can find the signature, description and date of the orderer; they were sailors that had risked their life on sea and celebrated their survival by donating these votive offerings for the protection by the Virgin Mary.
The Soccorso square
The Soccorso square is found in front of the church with the same name and is enclosed on three sides by the sea. From there you can admire breathtaking sunsets and passionate photographers can take some unique snapshots. Some people claim to have seen a green ray on the horizon, an optical effect that turns the light into a green colour (basically it's the light refracting with the sunset). It is said, that the lucky ones that get a chance to see this rare phenomena, will be lucky for the rest of their lives. In this square in 2002, Pope John Paul II celebrated the world youth day and the location was therefore reconstructed for the occasion, to wellcome all the pilgrims in the best way.