CAPRI'S MUSEUMS: A CULTURAL TOUR

Let’s start with a few private homes that have, over time, become prestigious museums much loved by visitors! In Anacapri, there is a house museum of incredible impact: Villa San Michele, formerly the home of Swedish physician Axel Munthe, who loved collecting ancient Roman artifacts and other archaeological finds. At the Villa, you can not only stroll through the flower-filled gardens teeming with all kinds of plants, but also come across spectacular views of the island and admire architectural elements from the Roman or Egyptian eras (a tip: find the sphinx at the corner of the panoramic terrace and snap an iconic photo!).

From the Villa, you can also see Barbarossa Castle: named after the Ottoman pirate who conquered it in 1535, it too belongs to the Axel Munthe Foundation, which turned it into a bird sanctuary in the early 20th century. Today, it is home to the Capri Ornithological Station and serves as an important stopover for migratory birds flying across the Mediterranean! If you’re curious to learn more, you can visit it: the castle is open to the public year-round, except in February. You’ll find more information in the box below.

Also in Anacapri, there are two other house-museums: the Casa Rossa (the Red House) and the Casa Rosa. The former belonged to American Colonel Mackowen, who settled in Anacapri in the late 19th century, and takes its name from its walls, painted a brilliant Pompeian red. The exterior is decorated with mullioned windows and a crenellated roof; the interior houses a permanent exhibition titled “The Painted Island,” featuring paintings depicting life on the island between the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as various archaeological artifacts found right here on Capri. The Casa Rosa, on the other hand, takes its name from the second wife of its builder, the English physician Henry Green, who was in fact the first foreign resident of Anacapri in the mid-19th century (Fun fact: “rosa” means also “pink”, as in the color). It was later purchased by Axel Munthe and subsequently became part of the San Michele Foundation; today it belongs to the municipality of Anacapri, which has turned it into a major cultural hub and uses it to host a museum and temporary exhibitions.

We leave Anacapri and head to the upper part of the municipality of Capri to discover one of the island’s most luxurious and mysterious residences: Villa Lysis. Built at the behest of the Count of Fersen, the villa served as the ideal love nest for the count and the young Nino Cesarini. It soon became a cultural hub for poets, artists, and intellectuals who frequented Capri in the early 20th century. The villa’s architectural style is truly eclectic: here, many different styles blend together, from Neoclassicism to Art Nouveau to Oriental influences; moreover, since it’s built on a cliff overlooking the sea, the view from here is spectacular. You can visit the villa (see the box below for useful links) during events or concerts as well.

Art isn’t just found in museums—it’s also in churches. There aren’t many places of worship on Capri, but there are a few you won’t want to miss! The Church of San Michele in Anacapri, for example, is a Baroque church built between the 17th and 18th centuries and features a unique majolica floor depicting the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. 

Also located in the historic center of Anacapri is the Monumental Church of Santa Sofia, dating back to the late 17th century. The façade is in the Baroque style and features a bell tower with two clocks; the interior has a Latin cross plan, with a Carrara marble floor. On either side are several chapels decorated with paintings depicting saints, sculptures, and polychrome marble. 

Another stop on our cultural itinerary is the Certosa di San Giacomo (St James’s charterhouse), just 10 minutes from the Piazzetta: an ancient building (dating back to 1371), it is now a true cultural hub. Consisting of two wide and quiet cloisters, it also houses the Archaeological Museum (see paragraph 3 for more info!) and the Diefenbach Museum, which displays the works of the German Symbolist artist. The Certosa is truly an oasis of peace, even on the busiest days: it’s wonderful to step away for a while from the hustle and bustle of the crowded Piazzetta and stroll along the arcades, admiring the view of the Faraglioni and the temporary exhibitions.

Capri still bears the traces of a glorious past, given the prominent role it played during the Roman era. It became a Roman province under Emperor Augustus and was later chosen as a favorite retreat by him and his successor, Tiberius. Today, Roman artifacts can be found in various locations across the island. Many are on display at the Archaeological Museum, located within the Certosa di San Giacomo. The museum tells the story of the island at the peak of its glory through artifacts and works of art such as exquisite marble sculptures, frescoes, and pottery. An interesting fact: the exhibition concludes with the striking sculptures from the Blue Grotto, recovered from the seabed of this world-famous cave.

But the island’s Roman history can also be “experienced firsthand” in the enchanting setting of Villa Jovis: the residence of Emperor Tiberius in the 1st century AD, traces of which still remain, covering an area of 7,000 square meters. The villa overlooks the promontory of Monte Tiberio and faces the Gulf of Naples. Here you can admire the remains of the ancient thermal baths, the emperor’s quarters, and the servants’ quarters… with a little imagination, you can picture the luxury and grandeur of such a masterpiece! 

For history buffs, there’s another gem not to be missed: the small Centro Caprense Ignazio Cerio! Founded in 1949 by Edwin Cerio, the museum focuses on the entire history of the island, from the Paleolithic era to the modern age. You’ll find natural history and archaeological artifacts, as well as documents, maps, and photographs that tell the story of Capri. 

In short, culture is at home in Capri: with museums, archaeological sites, churches, and house museums, you have plenty of options for spending a day immersed in history and art. Choose the cultural sites that suit you best—they’re sure to add an extra touch to your Capri vacation!