Villa San Michele

Villa San Michele was the residence of Axel Munthe, its Swedish creator, court doctor and writer between 1896 and 1907. Shortly after the success of his book, ''The Story of San Michele'', in 1929 the villa was opened to the public and since then the flow of visitors has never ceased. The property is on the north-east side of Anacapri, 327 m above sea level with an extraordinary view over the Gulf of Naples. An Imperial Roman villa once stood here and its ruins are still visible in the garden, carefully preserved by Axel Munthe. There were also the remains of a mediaeval chapel in the same area which, after various vicissitudes, was rebuilt to its present form. An overall view of the garden, the architectural structure and the art collection offers a unique experience of its kind and reflects the romantic and symbolic taste typical of the period spanning the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The open plan towards sea and sky is the most striking feature of the construction, described in his book as a precise objective to fulfil: ''I want my house open to sun, wind and the voice of the sea, as a Greek Temple, and light, light, light everywhere!'' Munthe's idea was to mix Mediterranean flora with plants from other continents in the particular micro-climate of the garden. The rarities include Kochia saxicola, a plant in danger of extinction, which only survives in Capri and Strombolicchio.

Villa San Michele is a museum, and its panoramic bar, Café Casa Oliv, has an amazing view over all the Gulf of Naples. The property is home for Swedish scientists and artists and each year it offers a rich program of cultural events: concerts, exhibitions, theatrical performances and on request private events. Above the villa rises the Monte Barbarossa with a castle of the same name, an important resting place for migratory birds. The fortress houses a bird observatory.