Basic information about Capri

Where is Capri located?

The small island of Capri is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea (part of the Mediterranean Sea) and belongs to the Italian province of Naples, in the Campania region. The resort lies 10 km southwest of the Sorrentine Peninsula and 36 km from Naples, with which it is connected by ferry.

The area of the island is about 11 square kilometers, and Capri’s population is approximately 13,000 people. However, this does not include tourists — up to half a million visit during the season. That’s why Capri can confidently be called a popular resort. It has served this purpose since ancient times: during the Roman Republic, emperors Augustus and Tiberius had residences here.

The history of the island of Capri

Mentions of the Italian island appear in ancient Greek mythology. Firstly, there are various theories about the origin of the name Capri: some believe it comes from the word for “wild boar,” as the sound resembles the ancient Greek word κάπρος (kapros). Others suggest it derives from the Latin word caprea — “goat,” in honor of Amalthea, the goat that nursed Zeus the Thunderer.

Capri is also mentioned by Homer. According to legend, Odysseus encountered the famous sirens on the island. To avoid falling for their deadly lure, the clever hero plugged his crew’s ears with wax and tied himself to the mast. Thus, the sailors passed by the sirens safely, and the creatures, in despair, threw themselves into the sea and turned into rocks.

Another myth says that Odysseus fought the Cyclops Polyphemus on Capri. Later, modern researchers discovered a cave where this legendary battle might have taken place. Remains of the island’s first settlers were also found in the Marina Piccola harbor.

As for historically confirmed facts, the town was founded by the Phoenicians. Later, it was inhabited by the Greeks, and then it belonged to Naples. But already in 29 BC, the Roman Emperor Octavian Augustus exchanged Capri, which he liked, for the island of Ischia. His successor Tiberius made the island his residence and built 12 villas at once, fearing conspiracies — none of his subjects knew where the ruler would spend the night on any given day.

Later, the island belonged to the Lombards, Normans, Turks, French, English, and eventually to the Italians.

As for modern history, the island is often associated with the names of famous cultural figures: writers, artists, musicians, composers. Bunin, Turgenev, Maxim Gorky, Paustovsky, Stanislavsky, Tchaikovsky, Mann, Rilke, Dumas, Wilde, and Churchill lived here. Wagner composed the opera “Tristan and Isolde” here, and Aivazovsky dedicated a series of seascapes to the island. One can conclude: Capri is certainly home to the muses of creativity that inspire the creation of new masterpieces.