Capri Island Buildings & Towers

This 14th century charterhouse also acted as a barracks, a jail and a military hospital during the time of French occupation. Before that, the Carthusian monastery had been attacked frequently throughout its 700-year history, but still preserves several architectural details and historical items of interest, including the cloisters, the sacristy and a small museum containing Roman statues found on the floor of the Blue Grotto.

Just east of Capri is the most well-preserved of the island's Roman villas. Built for Emperor Tiberius in the 1st century AD, the complex covers a wide area, and consists of imperial quarters, entertainment areas, grand halls and gardens. The Villa Jovis displays remants of what was once a giant Roman pleasure palace. Follow the stairway behind the villa, to the Salto di Tiberio, where Tiberius is said to have had his less-than-favourite subjects tossed to the sea.

Built on the ruins of a Roman temple, the Villa San Michele once housed Capri's most memorable resident, Swedish doctor Axel Munthe, who lived on the island for more than 56 years. Munthe created an original residence that would become known to the world through his much-read book, The Story of San Michele. He preserved areas around the villa for their wildlife and flora, as well as several archaeological items and Roman artifacts found on the island, now displayed in a museum on the grounds.