The Villa San Michele was the home of the Swedish doctor Axel Munthe. It was built on the ruins of an old chapel dedicated to St. Michael, at the top of the Phoenician steps (joining the Marina Grande to Anacapri). It belongs today to the Axel Munthe Foundation, it is a museum.
After Grotta azzurra, it is the place most visited in Capri island. The villa is animated by a cultural program.
In his book “The Story of Saint Michael”, the Swedish doctor arrived in Capri in 1885 describes the progressive construction of the villa; he did not follow a project, but sketches made on a wall. During the works, the remains of a Roman villa were found.
The villa is built on several levels; The studio on the first floor, a loggia with pergolas and columns that joins a circular belvedere overlooking the Gulf of Naples.
In the Villa San Michele are preserved archaeological objects found by Munthe and his friends in Capri, Anacapri and elsewhere. Here we find fragments of sarcophagi, busts, Roman pavements, marbles and columns. In the garden there are several remains, among its is a Greek tomb and an Egyptian sphinx of granite (12th century BC) overlooking the belvedere.
Axel Munthe has lived more than 56 years in Capri. In love with the island and the nature, he bought the lands of the castello Barbarossa to provide a protected area for migratory birds.
Useful informations – Museo Villa San Michele
- To reach the villa
From Capri take the bus to Anacapri and reach the villa by foot.
By foot, taking the Phoenician steps from Marina Grande, near San Costanzo church (difficult : 921 steps for 1.7 km)
- Museum schedule:
November to February : 9h – 15h30
March : 9h – 16h30
April and October : 9h – 17h
May to September : 9h – 18h- Entrance : 8,00 €
- Timetable of the Café Casa Oliv
Open every day, from April to October from 9h to 18h, Fridays until 22h.- Castle Castello Barbarossa, guided tours
Thursdays, April and October : 16h
Thursdays from May to September : 17h- Official website : http://villasanmichele.eu
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