San Giacomo Monastery

Capri, Italy

Certosa di San Giacomo is a Carthusian monastery on the island of Capri. Count Giacomo Arcucci, a secretary to Joan I of Naples, established the charterhouse in 1371. He later became a monk himself in 1386. In 1553 the monastery was restored and fortified and a tower was erected which collapsed in the 18th century.

There was often conflict between the islanders and the monks, who owned land as well as grazing and hunting rights. During the 1656 plague in Capri, the monks sealed themselves off, whereupon the islanders threw their corpses over the wall of the monastery in retribution.

Since 1974 the charterhouse houses the Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach museum among others and is used for cultural events. A high school is also on the premises.

The charterhouse has three main areas: the pharmacy and women's church, the buildings for monks, and those for guests. The cloister (Chiostro Grande) is of a late Renaissance design, while the Chiostro Piccolo features Roman marble columns.

References:

Comments

Your name



Address

Via Certosa 15, Capri, Italy
See all sites in Capri

Details

Founded: 1371
Category: Religious sites in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Andy Baker (6 months ago)
Far away from the crowds, this is an amazing wonder! Art, history, gardens and a breath taking view. 100% would recommend. It's quiet and serene. Just wonderful.
Will Missen (6 months ago)
Really exceptional. So peaceful away from the crowds of Capri. There was a great art exhibition, an amazing 17thc church, some cloisters, and an exhibition of frescos from Pompei and Roman statues mostly on loan from the Napoli Archeological Museum. Great views and a really special experience. Don’t listen to the views saying it’s empty - they must have just been unlucky and gone when a film was being shot, the exhibition was under refurbishment, etc. :)
Karina Ayala (2 years ago)
Totally worth visiting
Cintia Cs (2 years ago)
We expected something to see here. We sadly paid 7€ for walking through a primarily empty building. It has plenty of potential to be kept for something, however we didn't expect such emptiness for Capri. I suppose it can be perfect for venues or something. Not worth the visit otherwise.
Gea Email (2 years ago)
beautiful walk and magical location. Away from Capri unbearable over tourism.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Rosenborg Castle

Rosenborg Palace was built in the period 1606-34 as Christian IV’s summerhouse just outside the ramparts of Copenhagen. Christian IV was very fond of the palace and often stayed at the castle when he resided in Copenhagen, and it was here that he died in 1648. After his death, the palace passed to his son King Frederik III, who together with his queen, Sophie Amalie, carried out several types of modernisation.

The last king who used the place as a residence was Frederik IV, and around 1720, Rosenborg was abandoned in favor of Frederiksborg Palace.Through the 1700s, considerable art treasures were collected at Rosenborg Castle, among other things items from the estates of deceased royalty and from Christiansborg after the fire there in 1794.

Soon the idea of a museum arose, and that was realised in 1833, which is The Royal Danish Collection’s official year of establishment.