Cities
There are only two cities on the island – Capri and Anacapri.
Capriis the main city and capital of the island. Two harbors adjoin the city – Marina Grande (Marina Grande) and Marina Piccola (Marina Piccola), where the most popular beach on the island is located. The port of Marina Grande was built in 1928 and is a popular tourist destination, with many restaurants, cafes and shops. Near the port is the site of the funicular, built in 1907. From here you can climb to the observation deck of the city, located at an altitude of 138 m. The center of the city is Umberto I Square, or as it is called Piazzetta (Piazza Umberto I or La Piazzetta), which the famous English writer Norman Douglas called “the smallest theater in the world.” On the Piazzetta rises the Clock Tower – the former bell tower of a medieval cathedral. On the site of the cathedral is the beautiful snow-white church of Santo Stefano (Cathedral of Santo Stefano), built in 1685 and admiring unusual architecture. The side facades of the church are made in the Baroque style, and the main dome resembles the oriental style. The sacristy of the church houses a silver statue of St. Constanzo.
Anacapri– the second largest city of the island, located in its western part. Anacapri in 1496 was officially separated from the capital of Capri. Anacapri is a charming city, immersed in the greenery of vineyards and olive trees. It is in Anacapri that the legendary historic villa of San Michele is located. The famous Swedish writer, scientist and collector Axel Munte built this villa in the 19th century in the style of a Roman imperial palace, and then bequeathed the villa and the entire collection of ancient artifacts in it to Sweden, whose authorities established the San Michele Foundation. The symbol of the villa is an Egyptian sphinx made of pink marble, looking towards the sea. The Anacapri cable car, located near the Villa San Michele, takes you to the top of Mount Solaro, offering breathtaking views of Naples, Vesuvius and the island of Ischia.
Sights of the island
The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra – “azure grotto”) is a unique grotto located in the north of the island, one of the most amazing natural attractions of the island of Capri. The underwater cave, 55 m long, 30 m wide and 15 m high, is famous all over the world for the unusually rich blue color of the water, which is the result of natural illumination. The grotto can only be accessed from the sea and only by boat. This wonderful place was opened in 1826 by the German poet August Kopisch. The Blue Grotto has three entrances, one of which leads to the Hall of Names, where you can leave a sign with your name. However, the grotto has been known since ancient times, as Roman statues were found in it.
Phoenician stairs– Another attraction of the island, located between Capri and Anacapri. According to legend, it was carved into the rock by the Phoenicians in the 6th-7th centuries. BC. The total length of the Phoenician stairs is more than 1.5 km or 921 steps.
The Faraglioni rocks are one of the symbols of the island of Capri. Sometimes the rocks are called “Three sons of Capri”. Three limestone cliffs rising from the azure sea waters – Faraglioni di Terra 11 m high, Faraglioni di Fuori (Scopolo) 104 m high and Faraglioni di Mezzo (Stela) 81 m high. A rare species of sky-blue lizards lives on the reef of Fraglioni di Fuori, and in the rock of Faraglioni di Mezzo an arch was formed through which you can sail by boat. These places are especially popular with divers.
Villa Iovis– an ancient Roman villa, the ruins of which have survived to this day. The villa is located on top of Monte Tiberio, 334 meters high, from where a stunning panorama of the sea landscapes opens up. The villa housed the apartments of Emperor Tiberius. The villa impresses with the remains of grandiose structures, the area of which was more than 6,000 m2.
Monastery of San Giacomo– a unique monastery of the second half of the XIV century, built under the auspices of the secretary of the Neapolitan Queen Joanna I of Anjou – Count Giacomo Arcucci, who at that time owned the island of Capri. In the 16th century the monastery was attacked by pirates, in 1806 its defensive tower collapsed, and at the same time the Carthusians left the monastery. At the end of the 20th century, restoration was carried out in the monastery, and now you can see some restored premises here, including monastic cells.
Festivals
In Capri during the summer season, interesting festivals, celebrations, concerts and exhibitions are organized. So, every year on May 14, the island hosts the San Constanzo festival, in honor of the patron saint of the city of Capri, and on June 13, the San Antonio festival, this time in honor of the patron of another city – Anacapri. Every first week of August, the island hosts the International Folklore Festival. The grape harvest is accompanied by the Settembrata Anacaprese festival, and since 1991, every December, representatives of the film industry have come to Capri for an international film festival.
