Today, Capri Island of Italy is a high-class getaway for the wealthy, including some major Hollywood stars. The island boasts some of the most expensive homes in all of Italy. This beautiful island has been an escape for the affluent for centuries; Capri Island is not the “next new hotspot,” it is the resort that always was.
For about 2000 years, Capri has been a choice destination for many. For Tiberius, the second Emperor of Rome, Capri was a favorite destination. In the first century AD he built the Villa Jovis where he resided for eleven years. This comprised of twelve villas, each dedicated to a different god. As ancient as this place is, so are some of the scandals surrounding it.
The ancient Romans stored wine in lead containers, giving the wine a desirable sweetness. The poisonous lead made many Romans go crazy including Tiberius. One day he flew into such a rage that he pushed his slaves off one of the cliffs of Capri. A local guide explained that the combination of lead in daily meals combined with intermarriage perhaps weakened the Roman Empire to its eventual fall.
One of the more popular legends surrounding the area is that of Ulysses. As Ulysses passed Capri on his journey home he asked his men to tie him to the mast of his boat and put wax in his ears so he would not be lured by the sirens, three beauties that lured sailors with their splendor and song. So enraged were the Sirens when they saw Ulysses that they turned themselves into giant stones which still remain in the bay.
Today visitors can reach the Capri by taking a twenty-five minute trip on a “water jet,” a boat which totes people to and from the island. Once there, a forty-five minute guided cruise around the island is a popular option with many tourists.
The water surrounding Capri Island is very warm and salty therefore there are no sharks. Plenty of fish including tuna, clams and mussels dwell here and the resort’s main income is gained through fishing and tourism. Coral grows on the sides of the cliffs and many items such as jewelry are created from these sea dwellers. There are three kinds of coral that grow in layers among the rocks. The top layer is red and the most expensive due to the limited availability of this vibrant color. The ample second layer is pink therefore these items are not as pricey as the red. The plentiful bottom layer is white and is often fashioned into cameos.
Many tourists opt to walk the path up one of the sides of the mountain as a pilgrimage. Inside the cave there is a statue of the Virgin Mary where many pay their respects before plunging into the ocean below. The water beneath is about 35 feet and the cliff dive is a popular activity for tourists and locals alike.
A more recent history involving Capri Island is during World War II. In 1943 the US 36th Infantry Division of landed on the beaches of Salerno, a day which some locals call the ‘D-Day of Salerno. The rocks and hills of the present day VIP sections were used as a lookout point for ships coming in from the Middle East.
Capri Island of Italy is a popular tourist destination as home to some of the wealthiest people of the world looking for a holiday getaway. But Capri Island is not a new ‘hotspot;’ it has been a retreat for almost 2000 years, when Tiberius recognized its majestic beauty during his reign as second emperor of the Roman Empire.
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