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Capri is an Italian island off the Sorrentine Peninsula, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples, in the Campania region of southern Italy.
It has been a resort since the time of the Roman Republic. Measuring 4 miles east to west and 1½ mls north to south with a population of 13,000, Capri is mostly concentrated in the 2 main centres: Capri Town on the E side of the island and Anacapri, 2½ mls to the W. Capri Town is perched above the island's harbour, on a rugged hillside in the saddle of 2 mountains, with superb panoramic views. It's an arduous uphill hike from the harbour into the centre but there are alternatives: a short bus or taxi ride or the funicular. The town centre is a diminutive church square bursting with day-trippers and cafes frequented by the idle rich and their hangers-on. Alleys, steps and narrow, cobbled, pedestrianised streets radiate out from here and are lined with expensive boutiques, art galleries, jewellery shops, artisans, souvenir shops, little bars and cafes, restaurants and ice-cream parlours. Sometimes carefree strolling is interrupted by the passage of small, silent electric vehicles carrying building materials, luggage, general produce etc. The other major town, Anacapri, is less exhibitionist and commercial except for a small mall offering the world's designer labels. The countryside outside these 2 towns comprises wooded, rugged limestone hillsides, laced with narrow, serpentine roads and sprinkled with simple white dwellings looking more Greek than Italian. The wealthy and famous who have contributed to Capri's renown live in luxurious villas with opulent gardens discreetly tucked away from the casual visitor's gaze. Locality Capri is on the edge of the Tyrrhenian Sea, guarding the south entrance to the Bay of Naples, about a third of the way up the boot of Italy. (it is 3 mls off the mainland coast. 147 mls SE of Rome. 7 mls SW of Sorrento. 16 mls SE of the island of Ischia. 17 mls S of Naples and its airport). It is on a rugged coastline of plunging cliffs, inlets and grottoes with a mountainous interior; the temperate climate encourages exuberant, colourful, exotic vegetation. |
