Why Visit
It is a popular holiday resort frequently visited by celebrities. It has been so since Roman times, when Emperor Tiberius retired there. it offers stunning vistas and beautiful beaches with crystal-clear waters.
History
The Greeks occupied Capri from the 8th century BC onwards. They had built two towns on the island according to historian Strabo, but they were later reduced into one. That second town is the precursor to Capri Town. In ancient times the Greek colony of Capri was controlled by Neapolis (today Naples), another Greek colony and it remained so until the Roman times. Emperor Augustus took Capri and resided there. His successor, Emperor Tiberius spent the last ten years of his life in Capri and built many villas there. The emperor wanted to get away from Rome’s political scheming and plotting so he retired to the island. He died there but not before naming his successor, Caligula. After Tiberius the island was largely forgotten by the emperors. Greek was largely spoken there.
The island remained in Roman hands until the fall of the Western Roman Empire. It fell under Ostrogothic control until it was recaptured by the Byzantines along with the rest of the Italian peninsula. In 866 Capri was given by Holy Roman Emperor Louis II to Amalfi. In 987 AD Pope John XV consecrated the first Caprese bishop.
It suffered from multiple raids from Barbary corsairs. The pirate Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha plundered Capri seven times and in 1535 he captured the island in the name of the Ottoman Empire. In 1553 there was a second invasion by Turgut Reis. Holy Roman Emperor Charles V allowed the inhabitants to arm themselves and fortifications were built to defend the island.
In January 1806, French troops under Napoleon Bonaparte took control of the island and in 1806 the English took it from the French under Sindey Smith. It again changed hands in 1808 when the French attacked the British garrison and defeated them. In 1813, when the war ended, Capri was returned to King Ferdinand I of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. It later became a popular resort for European artists, writers and celebrities.
In the 20th century the island continued to be a holiday resort and many novels were written about it by authors such as Fersen, Douglas and Mackenzie. It continues to be a popular destination for tourists today.
Museums - Archeological
The Museum Ignazio Cerio owes its origins to the untiring efforts of Doctor Ignazio Cerio, an Island physician, who constituted it as a family museum towards the middle of the XIX century, but was formally established as a public museum in 1949. The museum consists in 4 rooms: the geology and palaeontology room, the prehistoric and protohistoric room, the zoology and botany room and the archaeology room with over 20.000 naturalistic and archaeological finds which were gathered by Ignazio Cerio on Capri.
Beaches
Marina Piccola is one of Capri's best known beaches. From the Piazzetta, the bay and beach of Marina Piccola can be reached by taxi, by bus or on foot. Those who choose to walk can either make their way down the Via Mulo or take the spectacular Via Krupp, which commences just below the Gardens of Augustus. Another famous "beach" within easy walking distance of the historic center of Capri, by way of the picturesque Via Tragara, is that which lies in the shadow of the Faraglioni rocks
At Marina Grande, right next to the port, there is a large pebble beach (due to the nature of the island coastline,Capri's beaches are all made of pebbles or rocky platforms). From Capri's fishing district, visitors can easily make their way to beach of Bagni di Tiberio: where Emperor Tiberius chose to construct a magnificent sea-edge palace.
Another of the island's historic bathing establishments is situated on the coast of Anacapri, on the rocks beneath the lighthouse. The Faro di Punta Carena is easy to reach by public bus, from Anacapri's main bus terminal, or by foot, walking through the historic center and along the Via Nuova del Faro. A confirmed favorite among those unable to resist the Mediterranean tan, the Faro di Punta Carena's rocky platforms are situated on the south-west coast of the island and enjoy the sunshine from dawn until dusk.
Despite its proximity to the Grotta Azzurra, the beach of Gradola is still surprisingly peaceful and is the ideal spot where to swim in the deep blue waters just off the coast of Anacapri.
Religious Monasteries and Churches
Capri is home to various churches of different architectural styles, testament to the place’s long history and various cultures that have dominated it. Among the churches are the Chiesa di San Costanzo, the Chiesa di Santo Stefano, the Chiesa di Sant’Anna, the Chiesa di San Michele, the Chieda di Santa Maria del Soccorso, the Chiesa di San Andrea and the Chiesa di Costantintinopoli.
The Church of San Costanzo is a catholic church of a mixture of byzantine and gothic architecture. The exact date of its construction is unknown but it is the oldest church in Capri. Some historians believe it was built during the 5th century. It was originally dedicated to Saint Severino but after the death of San Costanzo in the seventh century it assumed the name.
The Church of Saint Stefano was built in the 1688 and was finished in 1697. It is of baroque style. It was built on the same place of an older church dedicated to St. Sophia. It was built by the architect Francesco Antonio Picchiati.
Among the oldest buildings on the island of Capri is the Church of St. Anne. It was originally dedicated to St. Peter and Paul and then to Santa Maria delle Grazie. It is located in the heart of the town, the medieval centre of the settlement.
