Grotta del Mago
Barano d'Ischia (NA)
Hidden gemNature
The story
The fishermen who took shelter here during storms swore they saw an old man with a silver beard sitting on the rocks, surrounded by three dancing women. Also called Grotta del Tempio del Sole, it was even sought by the Nazis, convinced it hid a doorway to the underworld.
Access
Only by sea (boat or kayak from Ischia Ponte or Sant'Angelo)
The story
The Grotta del Mago opens on the south-eastern coast of Ischia, between Punta del Lume and Punta Parata. The name is born of the stories of the fishermen, who sheltered here from the storms and swore they had seen, seated on the rocks of the cave, a gigantic old man with a flowing beard. Over the centuries it has changed many names — Grotta di Terra, d'Argento, del Sole — a sign of how much it struck the imagination of the island.
What to see
A wide sea cavity into which the sea enters among the rocks, wrapped in a suspended atmosphere made of legends, voices and plays of light. It is a place discovered from the sea, among the most evocative grottoes of the Ischian coast, where nature and myth have intertwined for generations.
How to get there
- Hydrofoil
- Ferry
Hours and prices
Free entry.
Tips
The grotto is accessible only by sea: it is reached by a private boat, by kayak or paddleboard, or by the boat tours that leave from Ischia Porto, Forio and Sant'Angelo. Go with a calm sea, when it is possible to enter safely, and rely on those who know the coast.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Grotta del Mago?
A wide sea grotto on the south-eastern coast of Ischia, between Punta del Lume and Punta Parata, famous for the legends of the fishermen who took shelter there.
Why is it called Grotta del Mago (Sorcerer's Grotto)?
From the legend of the fishermen, who swore they had seen a gigantic old man with a flowing beard seated on the rocks of the cave; over the centuries it has had many other names.
How do you visit the grotto?
Only by sea: with a private boat, kayak or paddleboard, or by the boat tours from Ischia Porto, Forio and Sant'Angelo, better with a calm sea.
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