What to see on the Island of Ischia (Italy): La Mortella Tropical Garden

If there is something that catches your attention when you arrive at the Ischia island It is its enormous vegetation.

When making the recent trip to this island near Nápoles, Southern Italy, for a stay in the Garden Villas resort, I didn't imagine that an island in this area of ​​the Mediterranean coast It could have so much vegetation.

This is undoubtedly explained by its volcanic origin, and it is precisely its surprising lushness (and of course its hot springs of volcanic origin) that characterizes this island, much less known than the nearby one. Capri.

There is a corner in the Ischia island where you find the greatest exponent of said vegetation. Its about La Mortella tropical garden, which you find near the town of Forio.

This garden, where you will feel transported to the gardens of tropical areas of continents such as America or Asia, extends in an area that was geologically under the sea, and which emerged due to volcanic eruptions.

It combines basalt stone and humus of eruptions, which, together with the fact that it is an area protected from northern winds, explains the development of tropical species.

The creator of the garden was the British composer William Walton who in 1949 ended up in the Ischia island and he considered it the ideal place to establish his residence because there he found the necessary inspiration.

Together with his Argentine wife Susana, passionate about gardens, in 1956 commissioned the design of the garden to the prestigious British garden designer Russell Page.

What to see in La Mortella tropical garden

When you visit La Mortella You see that the garden is arranged in two clearly delimited areas.

On the one hand, the lower area known as Valley, which was designed during the lifetime of William.

Then along steep paths you will climb a slope to the high area, the hill, which was already built by order of Susana after the death of the composer.

During your walk through the garden you will see fountains, small ponds and an infinite number of tropical and subtropical plants with colorful and striking flowers that cannot usually be seen in the Mediterranean area, with more than 1.800 different species.

In the garden you will discover various corners such as the Sun Temple, Orchid House or Thai Pavilion, which give it a special charm.

Another notable corner is the Victoria's House, where you will see giant nymphs and beautiful hanging flowers of surprising colors.

From the upper area of ​​the garden, and as you climb up the steep paths, you will have spectacular panoramic views of the coastal town of Forio and its surroundings, the flattest area of ​​the island.

El La Mortella garden It is currently managed by the La Mortella Foundation, which promotes knowledge of the musical work of its creator through concerts held every weekend.

La Mortella During the year it receives visits from more than 70.000 visitors, and finally I will tell you that this garden has been awarded several years as the most beautiful garden in Italy.

I will tell you that it is beautiful and that it is totally worth visiting.

La Mortella tropical garden hours

Take note of the useful information for your visit as it is not open all year round or every day of the week.

Specifically, the garden opening dates They are from the end of March to the end of November.

The La Mortella tropical garden visiting hours They are Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, from 9 in the morning to 7 in the afternoon.

Photos tropical garden La Mortella

Here you have more photos of the beautiful tropical garden La Mortella, an essential visit on your trip to the island of Ischia, in southern Italy.