Capri

Capri (the ancient Caprea), a charming island in the Mediterranean, at the entrance of the Bay of Naples, $3\backslash frac\{3\}\{4\}$ miles from Cape Campanella, and 21 S. of Naples. Only $3\backslash frac\{3\}\{4\}$ sq. m. in area, it yet displays a rich variety of beautiful scenery, ruins of antiquity, and points of historical interest, and contains a population of 4539. The island is composed of two mountain masses, separated from each other by a depression like the seat of a saddle. That on the west, called Monte Solaro, has an elevation of 1918, that on the east of 860 feet. On a shelving rock at the base of the eastern mountain stands the town of Capri, with walls, gates, and drawbridges, and a population of 1627. It commands a beautiful prospect, and till 1876 communicated with Anacapri, on the western tableland, by a rock-hewn flight of 536 steps; now, however, there is a carriage-road between the two places. The coast is precipitous, with only two safe landing-places, both near Capri. The island was a celebrated place in the times of Augustus and Tiberius. Ruins are still found of Roman baths and aqueducts, and of the twelve grand villas or palaces built in honour of the twelve chief deities by the Emperor Tiberius (q.v.). The inhabitants now consist of fishermen, sailors, and a few traders, with vine-dressers and cultivators of olives in Anacapri. Wherever a tree can be planted, the hopeful and industrious people have prepared for it a soil by persevering toil in terrace-culture. The wine of Capri, both red and white, is well known in commerce. Delicious quails, which in vast numbers alight on the island during their migrations to and from Africa, in spring and autumn, are taken in nets, and form an important item in the resources of Capri. To the west of the town of Capri is situated the Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto), a remarkable cavern, entered from the sea by a narrow opening not more than three feet high. Inside, however, it is found to be of magnificent proportions and of marvellous beauty, the gorgeous colouring being said to be produced by the reflection and refraction of the sun's rays through the water. Elliptical in form, it has a length of 118 feet, a breadth of 98 in the widest part, and a height of 40 in the loftiest, with 39 feet of water beneath. See German works by Gregorovius (Eug. trans. 1879) and Allers (1894); and by Alan Walters (1893).