Capri occupied an important role in the political matters of the Roman Empire when Augustus landed on the island in 29BC and struck by the incredible beauty of the island, he took it from Naples, in exchange for Ischia. After him, Emperor Tiberius came to the island for a decade, and it was from Capri that he managed the interests of the Empire. The ill- famed cliff where the Emperor’s villa is located, ‘Tiberius Leap’ is named after Suetonius’ story about the Emperor throwing his victims from the precipice !

During the nineteenth century guests included many creatives to include predominantly German bohemian artists. With the opening of the Quisisana, the island began to receive members of various royal families, aristocrats, politicians and industrialists.

Among personalities of note who have stayed on the Island of Capri, we count Lenin who came to the island at the beginning of the 20th century in order to plan the Russian Revolution. Russian exile Maxim Gorkij also resided on the island. Other names of interest include German artist Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach, Miradois — the monk who lived in the Cave of Matromania, and the writer Norman Douglas among many more. Axel Munthe, the famous Swedish Physician, also moved to the Island and built the renown Villa San Michele. Chilean writer and Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda lived on Capri, in exile. He left his mark on the island with his famous poem engraved for eternity in stone:

From the nineteen fifties onwards Capri became the world capital of Café Society inspiring many books, films and songs.
To me, Capri with its unique colours, lush nature and beauty, has been synonymous with freedom and soulfulness, given that it was the only destination I visited twice since February of 2020 when the world turned on its head. The island fuelled me with renewed energy, optimism and creative enterprise at a much needed time in my life.

Maryam Eisler, June 2021