Villa Jovis
Tiberio was right: Capri is better.
In the 1st century AD, Emperor Tiberio made a decision that many considered scandalous: he abandoned Rome to move permanently to Capri. After seeing Villa Jovis, you'll understand he was absolutely right.
Built on the island's easternmost promontory, 334 meters above sea level, Villa Jovis was the principal residence of the twelve villas Tiberius owned on the island. It extends over approximately 7,000 square meters and commands one of the most powerful views in the Mediterranean: to the north, the Gulf of Napoli from Ischia to Punta Campanella, and to the south, the center of Capri. From here, the emperor governed an empire. It's hard to argue with his choice of headquarters.
Details of the visit
Starting point: Capri Square (Via Longano → Via Sopramonte → Via Tiberio)
Distance: about 2 km on foot, all uphill
Travel time: 35-40 minutes of pleasant walking
Admission: €6. Free for EU citizens under 18.
Hours: February to December, 10:00-17:00. Closed on Mondays and in January.
Please note: opening times may vary; we recommend checking with the tourist office in the Piazzetta before leaving.
Why visit it?
Because it is one of the best-preserved Roman sites in Southern Italy, and because the walk that leads here - through quiet alleys, fragrant gardens, and glimpses of the sea - is almost as worthwhile as the destination itself. And then there's the silent majesty of the ruins: the Roman cisterns, the baths, the imperial halls, the belvedere terrace from which Tiberius observed the stars with his astrologer Thrasyllus.
The extra tip
Along the way, stop at Astarita Park (free admission, goats included) and Villa Lysis, Count Fersen's Art Nouveau residence - two little gems almost unknown to passing tourists. The real Capri, the kind that reveals itself only to those who walk slowly.