Over the centuries, the Charterhouse underwent many transformations: plundered by Turkish pirates in the 16th century, renovated and expanded in the 17th, it later became a barracks and prison under Napoleon. In the 20th century, it hosted cultural events, Futurist exhibitions, and even American troops during the war.
Today, visitors can still read this layered history: from the “upper house” devoted to monastic silence and prayer, to the “lower house” where kitchens, cellars, and workshops tell of everyday life.

The entrance to the Charterhouse lies at the end of an avenue, next to a fortified tower. The Charterhouse is comprised of three blocks of buildings: one which is separate from the convent and houses the pharmacy and women's church; one for the converse monks and for the external guests with annexed granaries, stables and the monks workshops; the last block was reserved for the life of seclusion with a series of cells around Choistro Grande cloister and the other rooms encircling the smaller Chiostro Piccolo.

The Chiostro Grande follows a late renaissance plan with cross vaults on stone columns, the area at the center is organised following a geometrical design with green spaces. The Chiostro Piccolo has delicate cross vaults on Roman marble columns.
Today, the Charterhouse is seat of the Archeological Museum, the Diefenbach Museum and, during the summer, functions as venue for concerts and cultural events.

The Archaeological Museum of Capri, housed in the Charterhouse of San Giacomo, is a treasure trove of artifacts that tell the ancient history of the island. Inauguratedon July 2024, with the exhibition "The Island of the Caesars: Capri from Augustus to Tiberius," the museum displays 120 artifacts including marble sculptures, frescoes, and pottery, originally held at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples and now back on the island. These artifacts illustrate Capri's rich cultural heritage and its role during the Roman era, offering visitors a captivating journey through time.

The museum highlights the ongoing dialogue between Capri’s treasures and the surrounding sea. Multimedia installations make the visit accessible and immersive, showcasing not only statues and frescoes but also exquisite silverware and ceramics. The experience culminates with the evocative display of the Blue Grotto sculptures, enhanced by light effects and an elegant soundscape.

The Diefenbach Museum, also located in the Charterhouse of San Giacomo, is dedicated to German painter Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach, a symbolist who lived in Capri in the early 20th century.

Diefenbach was an unconventional figure: a reformist and pacifist who embraced the principles of Lebensreform, wearing a white tunic and preaching universal love and a return to nature. In his canvases, Capri emerges as majestic and timeless, captured through iconic viewpoints such as Marina Piccola, the Natural Arch, and Monte Solaro.

The museum's collection includes a wide range of works reflecting the artist's mystical and spiritual vision, inspired by the natural beauty of the island. Diefenbach's works, characterized by strong symbolism, offer a unique opportunity to explore the interaction between art and nature.