Capri Augustus Gardens - Via Krupp

The Gardens of Augustus are a fine example of Capri's botanical ornamentation, with the flowers and plants of Capri being used to form an ornate picture frame for the island's breathtaking panoramas. The creation the Gardens of Augustus dates back to the nineteen thirties when the terraces on which the gardens still lie were constructed.

The landscape opens out to the left on to the Valle della Certosa, positioned between Monte Tuoro, Monte Tiberio and Monte San Michele, and the Faraglioni. To the right one can see Monte Solaro, the bay of Marina Piccola and the spectacular, series of almost overlapping hairpin bends of Via Krupp.

From the heights of the Gardens of Augustus one has a superb view of the townscape. The cross vaults which are a characteristic element of the Charterhouse of San Giacomo, are repeated in all of the island's vernacular architecture, be it of an urban or rural nature.

Via Krupp

Via Krupp connects the area of the Charterhouse of San Giacomo and the Gardens of Augustus with Marina Piccola, once linked to the town exclusively by way of Via Mulo. Commissioned by the German industrialist, Friedrich Alfred Krupp, the pathway was built in the early 1900's, overcoming a difference in height of approximately 100 meters, Via Krupp was designed and realized by the engineer Emilio Mayer, who cut through the rock until the sea, creating a series hairpin bends set so close together they appear almost to overlap.

Observing the path from on high or walking along the winding route, one is inevitably struck by such an incredible feat of engineering and artistic genius, made all the more captivating by the typically Mediterranean vegetation which spontaneously grows along the path. Along Via Krupp there is a small gate marking the way to the Grotta di Fra'Felice, where Krupp built his villa and, a little further on, a steep and crumbling pathway which leads to the Grotta dell'Arsenale.