"Capri is a queen of rocks clothed in amaranth and white lilies"
Pablo Neruda
Capri has long won the fame of the "fairy", "magic" island.
"Island of the Sirens" - as Turgenev called the island of Capri, located at the southern entrance to the Gulf of Naples, next to the Sorrentine coast in the west of Italy.
In the history of world culture, Capri has remained an island of sirens.
Many legends, myths, legends were associated with him. Past Capri, according to legend, the ship of Odysseus swam, and here the hero withstood one of his ordeals - opposed the sorcerous, invocatory singing of sirens, coming from the island.
The Homeric hero told his companions to tie themselves to the mast of the ship, so as not to succumb to the temptation of the sweet-haired singing of the sea naiads who took a fancy to the island and not dive into the blue depths.
Widely known and the legend of the island inhabited by terrible one-eyed creatures - cyclops.
Here Odyssey accomplished his other feat - blinded by the cyclope Polyphemus.
History was not inferior to mythology. Very old and too stormy for such a tiny piece of land and a small population.
Capri, as a favorite child, has several names.
Homer called it "blooming earth". The emperor Augustus is "the land of sweet idleness", the ancient Romans are the "mermaid island".
This small fancy island, an area of only 10 square meters. Km, towering above the blue sea, striking beauty of its rocky landscape, it is distinguished by its natural beauty, mild and healthy climate, clean air, a cap of lush Mediterranean vegetation, crystal clear sea, the bottom of which is seen at a depth of 8-10 meters.
The island of Capri has long been captivated by its charms, not without reason it is called "an island of magic dreams."
Here is how Capri described Ivan Alekseevich Bunin in his story "The Island of Sirens":
"... Capri" rises from the bosom of the sea like a lying sphinx "or a drowned ship, as others say.
Byron likened Capri to a wave driven by a storm. But, to put it more simply, it is a giant rock sticking out of the sea, wild in appearance and sometimes completely vertical, the ridge of which forms almost in the middle of its deep saddle, which has sheltered the small town of Capri, its olive orchards and vineyards. "
The appearance of the first settlements on Capri dates back to the Paleolithic. Here are preserved traces of the Phoenician and Greek civilizations.
Since 326 years BC. The Roman period began. Capri then belonged to the Neapolitans.
In the year 29 BC. Delighted with the beauty of the island, the Emperor Augustus suggested that the Neapolitans exchange Capri for Ischia.
Emperor Augustus called Capri Apragopolis - "the city of sweet idleness," a "paradise of idleness."
The island, remote from domestic stress, seems created to discover the beauty of local nature, history and art: the deep emerald sea, marvelous panoramas, picturesque villages, the ruins of Roman villas, temples and monastery, castles, palaces, countless private cottages, towers, grottos.
The Roman emperor Tiberius loved to spend time here. In 866, Louis II gave the island to the maritime Republic of Amalfi.
In 1528 the island was bought by J. Pellegrino.
In 1534 almost all the cities of the island were destroyed by pirates.
Owners of the island and historical epochs changed, but the beauty of the local landscapes remained unchanged.
The etymology of Capri's name is unclear, it can either ascend to Ancient Greece.
The ancient name of the island - Caprea - in Greek meant "wild boar"
But it can also result from Latin capreae (goats).
Remains of wild boars were found on the island during excavation, which may indicate the correctness of the first assumption of the origin of the word - "kapros", but on the other hand, the Romans called Capri "Goat Island", which may indicate the correctness of the second option.
Especially if you look at these heights, according to which you must jump like a mountain goat. ))
The island of Capri is washed by the Tyrrhenian Sea and is located just 5 km from the coast of Sorrento and 36 km from the port of Naples.
The communication between Capri and Sorrento or Naples is ferry.
The island is small - 11 square kilometers, with a population of 13 thousand inhabitants.
Capri has a reputation as a chic resort and a favorite holiday destination for celebrities from around the world.
In the tourist season, the population of Capri is increased to half a million!
Landscapes of this resort are unique.
View of the Bay of Naples with the outline of the volcano Vesuvius strikes the imagination.
Here grows more than 850 species of various plants and trees.
But the most remarkable thing about Capri is the sea!
Crystal-transparent, very clean, piercing blue: it was because of him came to the island of Capri Roman emperors, Arab sheikhs, Hollywood beauties, industrial magnates and famous stylists.
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