chronological history

Early history The Grotto of the Ferns and excavations at the Quisisana hotel and other localities testify to the presence of prehistoric inhabitants from the Neolithic period up to the Bronze Age.
VIII Century BC Colonisation by the Teleboi, an Acarnanian people, led by Teleno. The megalithic wall visible from the Funicular Terrace is attributed to these settlers.
V-IV Century BC The Greeks of Cumae also settle in Capri.
328 BC Greek Capri passes under the domain of Rome after the “Fedus Neapolitanum”.
269 BC Coins recovered in the Guard district bearing this date testify to trade between the island and mainland.
9 BC Augustus acquires Capri.
14/37 AC Withdrawal of Tiberius to Capri.
128 AC The Emperor Commodus banishes Lucilla and Crispina to the island.
450 AC Construction of the Early Christian Basilica of St. Costanzo (Constant) by the Basilian monks.
523 AC Patrizio Tertullo donates Capri to the Benedictines.
592 AC Letter from Gregory Magno to Bishop John of Sorrento requesting him to go to Capri to bless the relics of St. Agatha, preserved by Abbot Savino at the Monastery of St. Stefano (Stephen).
80-681 AC Arrival of St. Costanzo on the island.
750 AC Capri, patrimony of St. Peter, is leased for 28 years by Gregory VII to Theor, Duke of Naples.
812 AC Start of Saracen raids in the Mediterranean.
866 AC Emperor Ludovick II donates Capri to the Maritime Republic of Amalfi.
IX Century Byzantine reconstruction of the Basilica of St. Costanzo.
987 Appointment of the first Bishop by the Amalfi Archbishop.
991 Failed landing by the Saracens under the command of Boalim.
998 Construction of Anacapri Castle, later known as “Barbarossa” Castle.
1003 Construction of Capri Castle.
1137 Roger the Norman conquers Amalfi and Capri.
1230 Eliso Arcucci, Admiral of the Swabian fleet is made Count of Capri.
1266 Angevin occupation and construction of lookout towers.
1284 Sergio De Nicola, Governor of Capri, repels the Aragonese.
1367 Construction of the Convent and Church of St. Francesco (Francis) at Marina Grande under the direction of Count Arcucci.
1370 Expansion of the Church of St. Costanzo with the construction of the presbytery, pronaos and new entrance on the north side.
1371 Construction of the Charterhouse of St. Giacomo (James) under the direction of Giacomo Arcucci, Secretary to Jeanne I, Queen of Naples.
1441 Alfonso I of Aragon conquers Capri.
1496 Frederick II of Aragon founds the University of Anacapri, effectively separating it from Capri.
1535-1553 Turkish invasion led by Kair-ed-Din, otherwise known as Barbarossa, and Dragut.
1656 Plague epidemic that kills 350 of the island’s 755 inhabitants.
1775 Ferdinand II of Bourbon elects Capri as his summer residence where he goes to hunt quail.
1786 Archaeological excavations by Nobert Hadrawa.
1806 Capri is occupied by the French and reconquered by the English who fortify the island.
1807The French troops of Joachim Murat reconquer Capri. Fortification of the island.
1818 Suppression of the Bishop’s seat at Capri.
1826 Rediscovery of the Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra). Capri becomes the popular destination of writers and painters who stay at Hotel Pagano.
1874-1877Construction of road to Anacapri.
1905Excavations undertaken to expand Hotel Quisisana uncover prehistoric remains.
1910 Construction of the Capri-Marina Grande funicular, and start of works in the port.
1932-1935 Archaeological excavations by Amedeo Maiuri at Villa Jovis, Villa Damecuta and the Palace by the Sea (Palazzo a Mare).
1938 First electric power station.
1950 Growth of tourism in Capri.

History