Capri ( , ; ) is an island located in the

Tyrrhenian Sea The Tyrrhenian Sea (, ; or ) , , , , is part of the Mediterranean Sea off the western coast of Italy. It is named for the Tyrrhenians, Tyrrhenian people identified with the Etruscans of Italy. Geography The sea is bounded by the islands of C ...

off the

Sorrento Peninsula The Sorrento Peninsula or Sorrentine Peninsula is a peninsula located in southern Italy which separates the Gulf of Naples to the north from the Gulf of Salerno to the south. Geography Overview The peninsula is named after its main town, Sor ...

, on the south side of the

Gulf of Naples The Gulf of Naples (), also called the Bay of Naples, is a roughly 15-kilometer-wide (9.3 mi) gulf located along the south-western coast of Italy (Metropolitan City of Naples, Campania region). It opens to the west into the Mediterranean ...

in the

Campania Campania is an administrative Regions of Italy, region of Italy located in Southern Italy; most of it is in the south-western portion of the Italian Peninsula (with the Tyrrhenian Sea to its west), but it also includes the small Phlegraean Islan ...

region of

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

. A popular resort destination since the time of the

Roman Republic The Roman Republic ( ) was the era of Ancient Rome, classical Roman civilisation beginning with Overthrow of the Roman monarchy, the overthrow of the Roman Kingdom (traditionally dated to 509 BC) and ending in 27 BC with the establis ...

, its natural beauty, historic sites, and upscale tourism have made it famous worldwide. The island is characterized by its rugged limestone landscape, sea stacks (

Faraglioni In Italian, (; ; singular in both languages) are stacks, coastal and oceanic rock formations eroded by waves. The word may be derived from the Greek ' or Latin ("lighthouse") and is cognate with the Spanish . They are found at the coasts of ...

), coastal grottoes including the renowned Blue Grotto, and high cliffs overlooking the sea. Notable features include the harbours of Marina Grande and

Marina Piccola Marina Piccola ("little harbor"; also Marina di Mulo) is located on the southern side of the island of Capri. It is near the Faraglioni sea stacks to the southeast. The Via Krupp is a historic switchback paved footpath which connect the Charterh ...

, the panoramic Belvedere of Tragara, the ruins of Roman imperial villas such as

Villa Jovis Villa Jovis ("Villa of Jupiter") is a Roman palace on Capri, southern Italy, built by Emperor Tiberius and completed in 27 AD. Tiberius ruled mainly from there until his death in 37 AD. Villa Jovis is the largest of the twelve Tiberian ...

, and the towns of

Capri Capri ( , ; ) is an island located in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the Sorrento Peninsula, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples in the Campania region of Italy. A popular resort destination since the time of the Roman Republic, its natural beauty ...

and

Anacapri Anacapri () is a ''comune'' on the island of Capri, in the Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy. Anacapri is located higher on the island than Capri (about higher on average)—the Ancient Greek prefix ''ana-'' meaning "up" or "above". Admini ...

, the latter situated higher up the slopes of

Monte Solaro Monte Solaro is a mountain on the island of Capri in Campania, Italy. With an elevation of 589 m, its peak is the highest point of Capri. It contains the "Fortino di Bruto", a blockhouse which was used in battles between Britain and Fran ...

, the island's highest point. Administratively, Capri is part of the

Metropolitan City of Naples The Metropolitan City of Naples () is a Metropolitan cities of Italy, metropolitan city in the Campania region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Naples. The province was established on 1 January 2015 and contains 92 ''comuni'' (: ''comune''). ...

within the Campania region. The island is divided into two municipalities (''

comuni A (; : , ) is an administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions () and provinces (). The can also have the City status in Italy, titl ...

''): Capri and Anacapri.

Etymology

The origin of the name Capri is uncertain. It may derive from the

Ancient Greek Ancient Greek (, ; ) includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the classical antiquity, ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (), Greek ...

(), meaning '

wild boar The wild boar (''Sus scrofa''), also known as the wild swine, common wild pig, Eurasian wild pig, or simply wild pig, is a Suidae, suid native to much of Eurasia and North Africa, and has been introduced to the Americas and Oceania. The speci ...

'. Ancient Greek colonists from

Magna Graecia Magna Graecia refers to the Greek-speaking areas of southern Italy, encompassing the modern Regions of Italy, Italian regions of Calabria, Apulia, Basilicata, Campania, and Sicily. These regions were Greek colonisation, extensively settled by G ...

were the first recorded inhabitants, calling the island (). Alternatively, the name could come from the

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

, meaning 'goats'. Fossils of wild boars have been found on the island, supporting the Greek etymology. A less likely theory suggests an Etruscan language, Etruscan origin meaning 'rocky', referencing the island's limestone terrain.

History

Antiquity

Archaeological evidence indicates human presence on Capri dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age. The Roman historian Suetonius recounts that when workers excavated the foundations for Emperor Augustus's villa, they discovered giant bones and stone weapons, which Augustus displayed in his residence, the Palazzo a Mare. (Modern analysis suggests these may have been fossils of large extinct mammals). The Roman poet Virgil, in the ''Aeneid'', referred to the island being inhabited by Greek settlers from the Ionian Islands (the Teleboi). The geographer Strabo noted that Capri anciently had two towns, later reduced to one. Emperor Augustus developed Capri as a private resort, building villas, temples, and aqueducts, and planting gardens. His successor, Tiberius, constructed twelve villas on the island according to Tacitus. The most famous,

, is one of the best-preserved Roman villas in Italy. In AD 27, Tiberius moved permanently to Capri, governing the Roman Empire from the island until his death in AD 37. Later, in AD 182, Emperor Commodus exiled his sister Lucilla to Capri, where she was subsequently executed.

Middle Ages and Modern Era

After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Capri came under the control of the Duchy of Naples. The island suffered raids by pirates and Saracens. In 866, Emperor Louis II, Holy Roman Emperor, Louis II granted the island to the Duchy of Amalfi. In 987, Pope John XV established the Roman Catholic Diocese of Capri, Diocese of Capri, initially as a suffragan to the Archdiocese of Amalfi. Capri remained a diocese until 1818, when it was absorbed into the Archdiocese of Sorrento. It is now listed as a titular see. In 1496, King Frederick IV of Naples established administrative parity between the settlements of Capri and Anacapri. Pirate raids intensified during the 16th century; admirals Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha and Turgut Reis captured the island for the Ottoman Empire in 1535 and 1553, respectively. The French antiquarian Jean-Jacques Bouchard visited in the 17th century and is considered one of the first modern tourists; his diary provides valuable insights.

19th Century to Present

During the Napoleonic Wars, French troops occupied Capri in January 1806 but were ousted by the British in May. Britain established a naval base (a "Second Gibraltar") but caused damage to archaeological sites during construction. The French recaptured the island in 1808 and held it until 1815, when it was returned to the Kingdom of Naples, Bourbon Kingdom of Naples. In the 19th century, naturalist Ignazio Cerio catalogued the island's flora and fauna. His work was continued by his son, Edwin Cerio, an author and engineer known for his writings on Capri life. From the later 19th century, Capri became an increasingly popular resort for European artists, writers, and expatriates. It gained a reputation as a tolerant haven, attracting wealthy gay men and lesbians seeking a more open life than elsewhere in Europe. Notable figures who lived or spent significant time on the island include John Ellingham Brooks, Somerset Maugham, Norman Douglas, Jacques d'Adelswärd-Fersen, Christian Wilhelm Allers, Emil von Behring, Axel Munthe, Louis Coatalen, Maxim Gorky, Oscar Wilde (briefly), Compton Mackenzie, Romaine Brooks, Dame Gracie Fields, and Lenin (hosted by Gorky in 1908). Queen Victoria of Baden was a frequent visitor. German industrialist Friedrich Alfred Krupp funded archaeological work but left after a scandal involving accusations of homosexual orgies. Today, Capri remains a major tourist destination, particularly popular during the summer months, attracting visitors from Italy and abroad.

Geography

Capri is located in the

at the western entrance to the

, approximately 5 km from the mainland tip of the

. The island has an area of 10.4 km² (4.0 sq mi). The terrain is mountainous, consisting primarily of limestone and sandstone; steep cliffs dominate much of the coastline. The highest point is

at 589 m (1,932 ft). The island's western part, culminating in Monte Solaro, is known as Anacapri, distinct from the eastern part centered around the town of Capri. The two main harbours are Marina Grande on the north coast (the primary port) and

on the south coast. Notable natural features include the famous sea stacks known as the Faraglioni#Capri faraglioni, Faraglioni off the southeast coast, the Blue Grotto sea cave on the northwest coast, and the Arco Naturale, a large natural arch on the east coast.

Climate

Capri experiences a Mediterranean climate (Köppen climate classification, Köppen: ''Csa''). Summers are warm to hot and generally dry, while winters are mild and wet. Sub-zero temperatures are rare.

Administration

The island is divided into two municipalities (''

''): *

These are administratively part of the

, which is part of the

region.

Main sights

File:Capri sights.png, 520px, center, A clickable map showing some of the most important sights on Capri. (Use icon on the right to enlarge) rect 49 952 212 1050 Punta Carena Lighthouse rect 701 575 898 725

rect 1157 562 1325 636 Via Krupp rect 1599 396 1768 497 Arco Naturale rect 1627 101 1789 182 Villa Lysis rect 1772 174 1897 249

rect 1553 765 1731 866

rect 774 206 983 286 Villa San Michele rect 236 42 408 128 Blue Grotto rect 270 682 466 881 Capri Philosophical Park rect 1725 544 1910 663 Villa Malaparte rect 1346 552 1551 618 Certosa di San Giacomo rect 475 246 765 518

rect 1338 500 1514 554 Capri (town) rect 1287 429 1462 501 Piazza Umberto I, Piazzetta rect 1191 185 1446 299 Marina Grande rect 1101 644 1307 699

rect 1151 499 1318 561 Gardens of Augustus rect 294 552 483 671 Torre Materita #the following entries do not yet have articles: #rect 129 128 344 211 Villa Damecuta #rect 827 90 1007 180 Bagni di Tiberio #rect 1568 523 1710 643 Monte Tuoro #rect 1335 309 1537 422 Monte San Michele #rect 771 369 937 511 Monte Cappello #rect 1793 66 1990 171 Monte Tiberio Notable sights include:

Economy

Capri's economy is mostly based on tourism. The island has been a major resort destination since the 19th century, attracting visitors from Italy and internationally. During summer, particularly July and August, the island experiences a large influx of tourists, including many day-trippers arriving by ferry from Naples and the Sorrento Peninsula. The central Piazza Umberto I, commonly known as the ''Piazzetta'', is the hub of social life and tourism in Capri town.
The island is known for upscale hotels, shopping (including luxury brands and local products like Limoncello and handmade leather sandals, and restaurants. Agriculture is very limited, though some wine and olive oil are produced locally. Handicrafts also contribute to the economy. The popularity of the island has led to concerns about overtourism, particularly during peak season, with discussions about measures to limit day-tripper numbers. The international luxury linen brand ''100% Capri'' originated on the island.

Culture

In arts and literature

Head of a Capri Girl-John Singer Sargent 1878

During the latter half of the 19th century and early 20th century, Capri became a popular destination and residence for European artists, writers, and other prominent figures. August Kopisch's account of his 1826 rediscovery of the Blue Grotto significantly boosted the island's profile. Painters John Singer Sargent, Frank Hyde (painter), Frank Hyde, and Charles Caryl Coleman worked on the island. Writers who set works on Capri or lived there include Norman Douglas (''South Wind (novel), South Wind''), Compton Mackenzie (''Vestal Fire'', ''Extraordinary Women (novel), Extraordinary Women''), Jacques d'Adelswärd-Fersen (''Et le feu s'éteignit sur la mer''), Somerset Maugham ("The Lotus Eater"), and Maxim Gorky. Notable memoirs set on the island include Axel Munthe's ''The Story of San Michele'', Edwin Cerio's ''Aria di Capri'', and Shirley Hazzard's ''Greene on Capri: A Memoir'' about Graham Greene. Claude Debussy titled one of his Preludes (Debussy), préludes ''Les collines d'Anacapri'' (1910).

Annual events

Capri hosts numerous annual events, including religious festivals, cultural happenings, and traditional celebrations. Key events include: * Festival of San Costanzo (patron saint of Capri town) – May 14 * Festival of Sant'Antonio (patron saint of Anacapri) – June 13 * International Folklore Festival (Anacapri) – August * ''Settembrata Anacaprese'' (Anacapri harvest festival) – September * Capri Hollywood International Film Festival – Late December/early January * Capri Art Film Festival * Capri Tango Festival * Capri Hollywood * Eventi Villa San Michele * Premio San Michele * Premio Faraglioni * Premio Cari dell Enigma * Maraton del Golfo Capri

Transport

Capri is accessible via ferry and hydrofoil services operating from Naples (ports of Molo Beverello and Calata di Massa), Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi. Services also run from Ischia and other locations during the summer months. Boats arrive at Marina Grande. From there, the Capri Funicular ascends to Capri town centre (the Piazzetta). A public bus network connects Marina Grande, Capri town,

, the Blue Grotto, and other points.See, e.g., Taxis, often open-top Fiat Marea, limousine-style cars, are also available. Vehicle access for non-residents is heavily restricted for much of the year (typically April to November), due to the island's narrow roads. Visitors generally rely on public transport, taxis, or walking.

Airports

The island does not have an airport. The nearest airports are: * Naples International Airport (NAP) * Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport (QSR)

Twin towns – sister cities

Capri municipality is twin towns and sister cities, twinned with: * Crosby, Merseyside, United Kingdom * Bethlehem, Palestine

References

External links

* (Municipality of Capri) * (Municipality of Anacapri)
Capri Tourism official website
{{Authority control Capri, Campania, Islands of Campania Islands of the Tyrrhenian Sea Geography of the Metropolitan City of Naples Ionian colonies in Magna Graecia