Ischia — historically called ''Pitecusae'' — was has been colonized in turn by the Greeks, Syrausansa, Romans, Saracens, Turks, and Aragonese; all of whom were interested in its excellent strategic position as well as its '''therapeutic hot-spring waters''' and of course its attractive landscape. The result of all this varied history can be seen in the ruins of various outposts, towers, and "''tufa''" rock shelters hidden all over the island.More recently Ischia has become a frequent backdrop for Italian and American movies such as ''“Vacanze ad Ischia”'', ''“Appuntamento ad Ischia”'', and ''"The Talented Mr.Ripley"''. The island has also been used as a cinematic stand-in for the Island of Capri. http://wikitravel.org/en/Ischia