What to see on Capri, history of the island and itinerary with one-day excursions, including the Blue Grotto and the faraglioni.
Tourist information
Located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the southern part of the Gulf of Naples facing the Sorrento peninsula, Capri is only 5 km from Punta Campanella.
Of karst origin, the island of Capri was in the past joined to the mainland via the Sorrento peninsula, but was then partially submerged by the sea which decreed its separation by means of what is today called the Strait of Bocca Piccola.
Its territory consists of two plateaus, joined by a central valley, to the west the Anacapri plateau, dominated by the highest tip of the island, Monte Solaro 589 m, and to the east the plateau that culminates with Monte Tiberio 334 m.
On the north side of the island, facing the Gulf of Naples, there is Marina Grande with the port and, on the south side, the bay of Marina Piccola.
The very lively coast has high and jagged coasts, rich in beautiful caves and faced by imposing stacks.
In Capri, evidence of primitive man was found, in particular in the Grotta delle Felci were found dating back to the period between the Neolithic period and the Bronze Age.
A relevant period in the history of Capri was the Roman one.
The presence of two important emperors, Cesare Augusto and his successor Tiberius, contributed to a great architectural development of the island, the port, the water system, farms and splendid imperial villas were built, of which only a few remains remain today.
At the end of the Roman Empire, the island, which was part of the state of Naples, was subjected to Amalfi for a period, followed by various dynasties, Angevins, Aragoneses, Spaniards and Bourbons.
In the early 1800s the French occupied the island, removing it from the British who had conquered it some time before.
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The French remained in Capri until the collapse of the Napoleonic empire and the Bourbon restoration.
In the nineteenth century the island was the destination of the first travelers who appreciated its particular beauty.
Starting from 1900, important writers, poets and painters stayed there, impressed by the spectacular nature and hospitality of the locals, up to the great tourist development of the fifties, which made Capri famous in the world.
What see
With a jagged course, the coast is characterized by caves and rocky coves, alternating with steep cliffs.
Do not miss a visit to the famous Blue Grotto, whose name derives from the fact that the sunlight makes the sea water blue inside, to be carried out by means of a small rowboat.
The faraglioni of Capri, another beauty of the island, are small islets of rock which, located a few meters from the shore, give the spectator who admires them from the shore a grandiose scenographic effect.
As far as flora is concerned, there are very rare species, such as the Faraglioni lizard, which lives right on one of the faraglioni just mentioned, while as regards the vegetation it is Mediterranean, with the presence above all of agaves, prickly pears and brooms.
The boat tour of the island is also suggestive, among enchanting bays and hidden coves.
Excursions
– Natural arch, along the path that provides beautiful panoramic viewpoints, there are the Pizzolungo and the Grotta di Matermania.
– Monte Solaro, the highest point of the island from where you can admire an extraordinary panorama, the route can be done on foot or by chairlift.
– Belvedere of the Migliera it is a magnificent panoramic point located on the lighthouse area, you can also admire the ruins of some imperial villas, including Villa Jovis and Villa Damecuta.
The Certosa di San Giacomo, which dates back to 1371, today houses a museum and a school, as well as the Municipal Library.
– Capri, Anacapri is Marina Grande are the main inhabited centers of this island located on one side, while on the other side, particularly in Marina Piccola, the population is currently sparse but expanding due to strong building speculation.
