Axel Munthe's Love Affair with Capri

Who could not be in love with an island as enchanting as Capri? However, few of us are lucky enough to be able to live there ... even part-time.

Axel Munthe was one of the lucky ones, building his home, Villa San Michele, on the site of a Roman Villa in the town of Anacapri.

He wrote a book called "The Story of San Michele" which is a charming collection of vignettes about people and places from his life. Villa San Michele plays a starring role in the book, and Dr. Munthe is not shy about expressing his passion for her magic.

He relates the story of his first encounter with San Michele...and the thunderbolt of her impact on him. For many years afterward he dreamed of owning her, and once he became a psychiatrist and married an English aristocrat, he was able to realize his dream.

Once you enter the front door and beware of the dog (Munthe was actually an animal lover who kept numerous dogs) you notice that many antiquities are incorporated into the structure. Some of them may have been recovered from the original Roman villa on the site, but others may have been brought to the site from other places.

The home has Gothic elements and Axel Munthe himself was heavily involved in the design and renovation of the property.

Although the interior is luxurious and beautiful.....

the most spectacular part of San Michele is the garden.

You reach the garden through an art-filled portico...

And your reward is a spectacular view of the sea.

Facing east toward sunrise is a special treat, the granite sphinx. Its origins are unknown, but it is thought to be Egyptian and perhaps Axel Munthe acquired it from a Roman Villa. It had to be transported up the approximately 700 Phoenician steps to the elevation of 327 m. because there was no road at the time. The Greeks carved the steps into the dolomite cliff face, and they are narrow and steep, so it must have been quite a chore!

The image below shows a bust of Axel Munthe in front of a pomegranate tree.

A splendid surprise at the edge of the garden is a small chapel.

Axel Munthe's motto was "Live unafraid, trust in life!" and that he certainly did!!!

More information about Axel Munthe and San Michele can be found at http://www.villasanmichele.eu.