Thursday, July 4, 2013

A weekend on Capri...Monte Solaro

Now THAT'S a view.
That tall conical mountain you see when you approach Capri from the sea? The cone that gives the island its distinctive shape? That's Monte Solaro, and you can reach the very top from Anacapri via a chair lift. The mountain is the highest on Capri at 589 m.

If I have one piece of advice for visitors contemplating Capri -- take the chairlift to the top of Monte Solaro. If you don't have a head for heights, it is also possible to hike to the top - steep-ish but not too demanding, about one hour. Alternatively, hike down, as I did.

The blue waters of Capri.
Ah, il mare!
The faraglioni, Capri's famously recognisable rock formation.
At the top of the chair lift.
The faraglioni from on high.

Rest at the bar near the top of the chairlift.

Caesar Augustus like the view too.


How to get up.

A nice hike down.

The hillside of Monte Solaro was home to a Scottish writer int he early twentieth century, Compton Mackenzie. His house is preserved on the hillside.


Casa Mackenzie

Hiking down from the peak, a short detour will take you to Eremo di Santa Maria a Cetrella ("Hermitage of the Holy Mother of Cetrella"), a small church on the hillside. It is a tranquil spot. The church guardian turned on the music while I was there - a little Enya.


Entrance to Santa Maria a Cetrella

Santa Maria a Cetrella


A hidden belvedere

Resting spot with a view.

And so back to the villas of Anacapri.



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