Anacapri: Art, Mountain Trails and Island History on Capri
Accommodation in Anacapri
Anacapri combines art, architecture, landscape and everyday Italian culture. Via Giuseppe Orlandi also offers arts and crafts, restaurants and bars. If you would like to get to know Capri not only through individual sights but also through its paths and local impressions, Anacapri offers several clearly distinct points of access for this.
Art and Architectural History in Anacapri
Villa San Michele houses an art collection, the majority of which is of Roman, Etruscan or Egyptian origin. The Pinacoteca of Casa Rossa has a different focus, with the two collections of paintings „Le luci del Mediterraneo“ and „L'isola dipinta“. Both houses make art part of a stay in Anacapri in different ways.
The architectural history of Casa Rossa also reaches well back: it was built between 1876 and 1899 next to an old tower dating from the 15th century. This tower was built by Colonel John Clay MacKowen. The Chiesa di Santa Sofia complements the historic character of the town. It was built in 1510 and replaced the former parish of Santa Maria di Costantinopoli.
At Villa Rosa, you can see a permanent exhibition featuring works by Raffaele Castello (1905–1969).
Monte Solaro, Cetrella and Challenging Trails
Monte Solaro is the highest peak on the island of Capri and can be reached by a chairlift that starts in Anacapri. Cetrella is a valley surrounded by nature that can be reached from Monte Solaro. For planning purposes, these can be regarded as two different destinations within the hiking and walking experience: an elevated viewpoint and a nature-filled valley.
Religious services continue to be held in the church of Santa Maria a Cetrella; it was formerly a place of pilgrimage for fishermen. The Phoenician Steps have a considerably more athletic character: they consist of more than 900 steps, rise by around 350 metres and are considered one of the most beautiful scenic routes on the island of Capri. If you choose trails based on the number of steps and elevation gain, this route is an option whose physical demands you should factor into your daily planning.
Gardens, Pedestrian Street and Local Cuisine
The garden of Villa San Michele begins in the shade of the wisteria on the pergola, reaches its sunny climax on the Sphinx Terrace and ends at an elegant avenue of cypresses. The sequence of pergola, terrace and cypress avenue gives this garden a clearly recognisable spatial progression and makes it a distinct landscape experience alongside the villa's art collection.
Via Giuseppe Orlandi is a pedestrian street that runs through the town centre and is lined with arts and crafts shops. Special souvenirs on offer include Capri sandals and handmade ceramics. In the restaurants and bars around Via Giuseppe Orlandi, you can try traditional dishes. The street therefore combines movement through the centre with shopping opportunities and regional cuisine.
Practical Information
More destinations: Naples, Priora, Afragola, Monte Di Procida, San Sebastiano Al Vesuvio, Casalnuovo Di Napoli, Montechiaro, Termini-Massa Lubrense
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