Villa Jovis is a site on Capri at the end of the Viale Amedeo Maiuri which houses the ruins of a villa from the first century B.C. which is attributed to the Roman Emperor, Tiberius. Perched on a cliff-top, it now provides visitors with astounding views but once afforded its occupants both privacy and security. Once the largest and most sumptuous of the twelve Roman villas on the island, it is now reduced to ruins, though a considerable percentage still survives. In fact, the amount of survival from the original complex means that the visitor centre has reliable reproductions of what it might have looked like.
Even incomplete, however, it is an amazing sight to behold and has a fascinating history. If you're a bit of a history buff or merely like a good stroll in interesting environs, find a villa with pool on the Amalfi coast
and spend a day exploring this site for yourself.
Completed in 27 B.C., it was home to Tiberius in his later years of life after he retreated there to rule Rome from afar. The villa was built as a vast pleasure complex and its location, though spectacular and one of the great pleasures of the site, lead to serious issues in building the structure.
and spend a day exploring this site for yourself.
Completed in 27 B.C., it was home to Tiberius in his later years of life after he retreated there to rule Rome from afar. The villa was built as a vast pleasure complex and its location, though spectacular and one of the great pleasures of the site, lead to serious issues in building the structure.
In order to collect and store enough water to furnish the baths and gardens, canal systems and giant cisterns had to be devised. It is even said that the cliff behind the villa was used by Tiberius to rid himself of courtiers who fell from favour.
Villa Jovis was arranged on a plan divided into sections which were connected via corridors, stairs and passages. To the north was the Emperor's apartments and the baths were to the south. East was home to the apartments for official purposes and west was the location of the servants' quarters and bathrooms. It measured 5,500m² in plan and organised over multiple levels.
Furnishings and decoration which survived from the interiors were removed and placed in museums. However, some items were lost or sold.
Excavation of the site began in 1937, under the leadership of Amadeo Maiuri and was conscientious and careful. The complex is now open to the public with tours available. Legends of Tiberius and his depravity abound, though most likely were merely sensationalised rumours. However, they were prevalent during his own lifetime and reflect how his people saw him. Suetonius recorded tales of the debauchery that took place in the gardens, baths and woods of the villa.
With the raunchy tales, stunning views, impressive ruins and challenging but pleasant walk to the site itself, the villa offers any visitor a thoroughly diverting outing – be sure to stop by on your next trip to Campania.
Villa Jovis was arranged on a plan divided into sections which were connected via corridors, stairs and passages. To the north was the Emperor's apartments and the baths were to the south. East was home to the apartments for official purposes and west was the location of the servants' quarters and bathrooms. It measured 5,500m² in plan and organised over multiple levels.
Furnishings and decoration which survived from the interiors were removed and placed in museums. However, some items were lost or sold.
Excavation of the site began in 1937, under the leadership of Amadeo Maiuri and was conscientious and careful. The complex is now open to the public with tours available. Legends of Tiberius and his depravity abound, though most likely were merely sensationalised rumours. However, they were prevalent during his own lifetime and reflect how his people saw him. Suetonius recorded tales of the debauchery that took place in the gardens, baths and woods of the villa.
With the raunchy tales, stunning views, impressive ruins and challenging but pleasant walk to the site itself, the villa offers any visitor a thoroughly diverting outing – be sure to stop by on your next trip to Campania.
Photo credits
picture 1: Tylerbell / CC BY-SA 2.0;
picture 3: Psychs / CC BY 2.0
picture 1: Tylerbell / CC BY-SA 2.0;
picture 3: Psychs / CC BY 2.0
