CORBARO PARK
Latest update: 24 February 2022
Please note that at this time (April 2015), Corbaro Park is closed to visitors. We don't have a date for any re-opening at this stage but as and when there are any developments we will update this page.
A Walk on the Wild Side.....
Situated on the slopes of Mount Epomeo, Corbaro Park rewards its visitors with an intriguing combination of breathtaking scenery, classical philosophy and home-grown food and drink.
The park occupies a small area above the tiny hamlet of Santa Maria, where it seamlessly fits into its surrounding area, enclosed by a variety of fig, almond, pear and cypress trees. Upon entry to the park, visitors are greeted by the sweet scents of natural aromas such as rosemary and thyme, but perhaps more importantly, by the figure of Signore Maschio who is the lifeblood that keeps Corbaro together.
Ischia is full of characters and Signore Maschio undoubtedly deserves a mention amongst the most notable. At 78 years young, the twinkle is firmly in place in his eyes as he enthusiastically explains how he created the park and turned it in to one of Ischia’s most notable attractions. The site has been in the Maschio family for over 400 years and passed down through around 30 generations of Signore Maschio’s ancestors.
Visitors are welcomed to Corbaro by Signore Maschio who explains how best to make the most of the park, advising on the best areas to visit and what to see in them. His creation of a “Philosopher's Path” provides a fascinating walk through the wooded countryside, with quotes by famous philosophers inscribed on various tablets prompting the mind to wander through thought-provoking ideas while being surrounded by wild flowers and stunning vistas of the island and beyond.
After taking in the fantastic views and with the mind occupied by the philosophers’ musings, visitors are then invited to take a drink or snack at the restaurant where the views can be enjoyed with the accompaniment of freshly-made local produce. The speciality at Corbaro is the bruschetta which is made solely with ingredients from the surrounding area.
The restaurant area is surrounded by exotic plants and flowers with a variety of scents and colours allowing for a very pleasant post-snack stroll around the gardens. The plants and flowers are all meticulously labelled and it is clear to see the passion and care that the garden has been blessed with, increased only further when listening to Signore Maschio’s personal observations.
A visit to Corbaro Park is perhaps best enjoyed as part of a day’s hiking adventure. Hike is certainly the more appropriate word than walk, as a good level of fitness is required to reach the area as well as appropriate shoes, clothing and walking sticks if necessary. Although the garden area has been very diligently cared for, some parts of the “Philosophers Path” are still in a very rugged state and at the whim of falling cactus leaves which can be slippery when they break up. For this reason, it is essential to wear shoes with excellent levels of grip.
You can start your ascent towards Corbaro Park from the main road in Forio, the SS270 which winds its way around the perimeter of the island. To make life easier, there is also a bus-stop at the exact place where you need to turn off from the main road. You can take a number 1, 2, CS or CD bus and get off at the bottom of Via Bocca, which is the road that you need to follow to eventually reach the park. The distance between the main road and Corbaro Park is around 2km, almost entirely uphill so time estimates will vary depending on your level of fitness.
The walk through the hamlet of Santa Maria Al Monte with its little church and scattered houses is enjoyable and interesting in itself, and the closer you get to Corbaro at the top, the more you notice the scenery change around you as you are surrounded by vineyards and spectacular views across Forio and out towards the sea.
After the walk up the hill to Corbaro, you will almost certainly have worked up an appetite for some refreshments and it is upon this basis that the entrance fee is arrived at. If you take a drink or a snack at the restaurant, the entrance to the “Philosopher’s Path” is free, however if you are not interested in a drink or snack, then the price of entrance to the path is €5.
Dion Protani
Ischia Review
For further details about Corbaro Park, please click on the green button below to be re-directed to their website.
Situated on the slopes of Mount Epomeo, Corbaro Park rewards its visitors with an intriguing combination of breathtaking scenery, classical philosophy and home-grown food and drink.
The park occupies a small area above the tiny hamlet of Santa Maria, where it seamlessly fits into its surrounding area, enclosed by a variety of fig, almond, pear and cypress trees. Upon entry to the park, visitors are greeted by the sweet scents of natural aromas such as rosemary and thyme, but perhaps more importantly, by the figure of Signore Maschio who is the lifeblood that keeps Corbaro together.
Ischia is full of characters and Signore Maschio undoubtedly deserves a mention amongst the most notable. At 78 years young, the twinkle is firmly in place in his eyes as he enthusiastically explains how he created the park and turned it in to one of Ischia’s most notable attractions. The site has been in the Maschio family for over 400 years and passed down through around 30 generations of Signore Maschio’s ancestors.
Visitors are welcomed to Corbaro by Signore Maschio who explains how best to make the most of the park, advising on the best areas to visit and what to see in them. His creation of a “Philosopher's Path” provides a fascinating walk through the wooded countryside, with quotes by famous philosophers inscribed on various tablets prompting the mind to wander through thought-provoking ideas while being surrounded by wild flowers and stunning vistas of the island and beyond.
After taking in the fantastic views and with the mind occupied by the philosophers’ musings, visitors are then invited to take a drink or snack at the restaurant where the views can be enjoyed with the accompaniment of freshly-made local produce. The speciality at Corbaro is the bruschetta which is made solely with ingredients from the surrounding area.
The restaurant area is surrounded by exotic plants and flowers with a variety of scents and colours allowing for a very pleasant post-snack stroll around the gardens. The plants and flowers are all meticulously labelled and it is clear to see the passion and care that the garden has been blessed with, increased only further when listening to Signore Maschio’s personal observations.
A visit to Corbaro Park is perhaps best enjoyed as part of a day’s hiking adventure. Hike is certainly the more appropriate word than walk, as a good level of fitness is required to reach the area as well as appropriate shoes, clothing and walking sticks if necessary. Although the garden area has been very diligently cared for, some parts of the “Philosophers Path” are still in a very rugged state and at the whim of falling cactus leaves which can be slippery when they break up. For this reason, it is essential to wear shoes with excellent levels of grip.
You can start your ascent towards Corbaro Park from the main road in Forio, the SS270 which winds its way around the perimeter of the island. To make life easier, there is also a bus-stop at the exact place where you need to turn off from the main road. You can take a number 1, 2, CS or CD bus and get off at the bottom of Via Bocca, which is the road that you need to follow to eventually reach the park. The distance between the main road and Corbaro Park is around 2km, almost entirely uphill so time estimates will vary depending on your level of fitness.
The walk through the hamlet of Santa Maria Al Monte with its little church and scattered houses is enjoyable and interesting in itself, and the closer you get to Corbaro at the top, the more you notice the scenery change around you as you are surrounded by vineyards and spectacular views across Forio and out towards the sea.
After the walk up the hill to Corbaro, you will almost certainly have worked up an appetite for some refreshments and it is upon this basis that the entrance fee is arrived at. If you take a drink or a snack at the restaurant, the entrance to the “Philosopher’s Path” is free, however if you are not interested in a drink or snack, then the price of entrance to the path is €5.
Dion Protani
Ischia Review
For further details about Corbaro Park, please click on the green button below to be re-directed to their website.
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