A capacitor discharging type ignition apparatus for an internal combustion engine is disclosed in which a secondary winding voltage rises quickly and has an extended spark generation time as well. The apparatus includes an electrical power source 101, an ignition coil 104 having a primary winding and a secondary winding connected to a spark plug, the primary winding having a first end terminal, a second end terminal and a third intermediate terminal between the first and second end terminals, a first capacitor 103a connected between the electrical power source and one of the first and second end terminals of the primary winding so that it is charged by the electrical power source; a second capacitor 103b connected between the electrical power source and the intermediate terminal of the primary winding so that it is charged by the electrical power source; a signal generator 105 for generating an ignition signal in synchronism with the rotation of the engine; and a switch 107 for causing the first and second capacitors to simultaneously discharge through the primary winding in response to the ignition signal of the signal generator.