MICHELANGELO'S TOWER/GUEVARA'S TOWER
Latest update: 10 May 2022
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Positioned right next to the sea in Ischia Ponte, in the picturesque bay of Cartaromana and in front of the tiny island that's home to Castello Aragonese, Michelangelo's Tower (also known as Guevara's Tower from the name of the noble family that used to own it - nothing to do with "Che"!), is a fortress-house built by King Alfonso of Aragon in 1433.
It was built in order to defend the coast of the island from a number of threats including pirates, before donating it to the Guevara family who owned it until the 1800's. |
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Legend has it that Renaissance artist Michelangelo once lived in the building when he became enamoured with the poet, Vittoria Colonna. Colonna, the wife of Spanish Marquis, Francesco Ferrante d'Avalos during the Spanish reign over the island, was said to have conducted a "platonic love affair" with the artist although it is difficult to corroborate those rumours.
It is also believed that some of the frescoes in the tower are the work of Michelangelo but as yet there is no official documentation that attests to this as fact.
These days, the building is used to stage exhibitions of famous international artists, both inside and outside in the large garden that looks out on to the sea and to Castello Aragonese.
Contact details:
Address: Via Nuova Cartaromana, Ischia
Tel: (00 39) 081 3331146
Open every day apart from Mondays and entrance is free.
It is also believed that some of the frescoes in the tower are the work of Michelangelo but as yet there is no official documentation that attests to this as fact.
These days, the building is used to stage exhibitions of famous international artists, both inside and outside in the large garden that looks out on to the sea and to Castello Aragonese.
Contact details:
Address: Via Nuova Cartaromana, Ischia
Tel: (00 39) 081 3331146
Open every day apart from Mondays and entrance is free.
