Capri Is the Place to Be!

© 2019 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

During the height of the summer, Capri is the place to be…and we were there!

We were on one of the coolest islands in Italy and there was so much to explore and discover.

Despite being able to visit one of the main attractions on the island upon our arrival, it had eaten up a great portion of our precious time. Heading to the Funicular, we purchased tickets and waiting to board the railway up the mountainside to the Piazza Umberto I, in the center of the island.

Crowded and hot, we were still able to secure a spot near the window to watch the passing scenery. Exiting the tight cars, we stood along the gallery and gazed out at the island and the Marina Grande below.

Walking through the Piazza Umberto I, with its classic clock tower, we imagined that this was where we might spot Oprah or Brad Pitt that evening, as we had heard they were both moored off of the island. Entering the small alleyways, we passed Chiesa San Stefano, the prominent baroque Catholic church that houses Capri’s town hall in its old bishop quarters. The church was not open, so we continued on to the southern part of the island.

Passing the many high-end boutiques, shops, restaurants and homes, we eventually found ourselves at the Certosa di San Giacomo (St. James Charterhouse), the 14th century Carthusian monastery.

Built in 1371 by Giacomo Arcucci (who later became a monk of the order), on land donated by Queen Giovanna I of Angio, the Charterhouse of San Giacomo is the oldest historic building on the island of Capri.

Gaining our entrance at the office near the fortified tower, we made our way through the complex which is comprised of three blocks of buildings. The first building offered us a look at a unique art collection of the Diefenbach Museum (est. 1975) which included the works of German painter Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach.

Continuing through the complex, we discovered the Chiostro Piccolo (small cloister), which was added during the sixteenth century and the Chiostro Grande with its limestone pillars. It was here around the grand cloister that the monks cells were located as well as the Quarto del Priore used for temporary exhibitions.

Making our way through the gardens, we found them to be a bit overgrown, but the reward was at the cliffside where we had the most magnificent views of the coastline and the sea.

Here was Brad Pitt and Oprah’s yachts…or so we thought! Some of the biggest boats I had ever lain eyes on were docked in the azur waters that surrounded the island. So beautiful were the sights below us, we sat here in the sunshine, just enjoying the moment of the day!

Eventually, we made our way back toward the monastery and the large, open church where ancient frescoes can be seen on the walls and ceiling.

As our visit came to a close, we decided that we wanted to enjoy the waters up close that we had seen from above. Taking the funicular back to the Marina Grande, we walked to the small, rocky beach, Cala Grande.

Although there was so much more to see…Anacapri, Mount Solaro and its chairlift, Grotto Verde, Arco Naturale, Villas and countless overlooks…it was impossible to experience it all. It was nice to just give in to the island’s natural beauty and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon, soaking up the late afternoon sun.

Sometimes that’s what you have to do. Enjoy what you’ve been given and just “be”.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Funicolare di Capri

St. James Charterhouse

Leave a Reply