When Tiberius was emperor he spent 11 years on the island of Capri and built 12 elaborate villas. Villa San Michele, in Anacapri, was built by the Swedish doctor and writer Axel Munthe in the late 19th century on the site of one of these villas. It's a beautiful location with breath taking views of the sea and cliffs from the garden. Alex later wrote a book that The Story of San Michele that became quite famous. He also helped create a sanctuary for migrating birds.
The villa, now a museum, is furnished with traditional local and Swedish furnishings. The extensive art collections acquired by Alex range from antiquity to 20th century and include objects in marble, stone, mosaic, terracotta, wood, metal, ceramics and textiles.
Bits of the Roman villa are incorporated into the atrium and garden. There's a Roman well, statues, and a small building that houses remains of Roman frescoes. The garden is beautiful and has fantastic cliff edge view spots.
The villa is reached by a pleasant walk along a shopping street off Piazza Vittoria in Anacapri.
