serpents of Via Krupp, Capri
The white limestone masses clearly visible from the tip of the peninsula of Sorrento hide one of most popular summer destinations – The isle of Capri.
Most of the visitors came for a daytrip via ferry boats from Naples or Sorrento, yet the isle has its own devoted residents.
Alex Munthe build Villa San Michele inspired by the story of San Michele church, or who designed unique Capri Philosophical Park.
The island featured in numerous movies and books, including the one by a poet August Kopisch. which made Capri popular in half of 19th century.
Since then, Capri became the residence, permanent or temporary, of aristocracy, writers, painters and singers including Gracie Fields and Mariah Carey, who owns a villa on the island.
Swedish Queen Victoria used to stay here, as well as American Rose O’Neill , Russian Maxim Gorky and Friedrich Alfred Krupp from Germany, the sponsor of cascaded Via Krupp.
Although the island welcomed the first important resident, Caesar August, some two thousand years ago it remain relatively unknown until the time of the poets and writers mentioned above. Roman Emperors August and Tiberius preffered Capri than Rome, the second one even moved here and ruled the empire from Capri for last decade of his life.
The picturesque Tiberius hill hides ruins of Villa Jovis prepared for the emperor, today still one can see remains of baths and living rooms, with the famous drop, the tunnel by which unwanted guests were dropped into the sea. Under the hill there are other tourist spots, like symbolic offshore rocks I Faraglioni, and Marina Piccola accessible by the picturesque serpent Via Krupp. Beaches on Capri are generally rocky with several sandy ones, with the limestone rock formations dominating the landscape. One of the most popular is Grotta Azzurra, or Blue Grotto , lit by the sun rays filtered by the blue water.
Visitors came first to the port Marina Grande, and by the funicular came to the centre of town Capri. Another cable car with stunning views all over island takes the tourists to the second town Anacapri, hidden deep in the isle. Those, who do not want to do any climbing may use the taxi service, or one of popular excursion cabs.
[ photo courtesy of flynn wynn]
