"Lovers' kisses fly to you", to the Island of Capri.
This phrase drove the French baron and man of letters Jacques d'Adelswärd Fersen to cross the Gulf of Naples as if it were mythical River Lethe, said by the Ancient Greeks to be purifying, and land on the island of Capri in July of 1904, leaving behind Paris and the accusations of corruption of minors and crimes against public decency in his wake.
Like many contemporary intellectuals, Fersen made Capri his literary oasis by commissioning a villa on the island's heights facing north: his beloved Villa Lysis, named for the young Athenian and friend of Socrates and subject of Plato's dialogue discussing friendship, which reflected his relationship with his young companion Nino Cesarini, whom he met in Rome and with whom he would spend the rest of his life.
The residence is a gem of eclectic architecture, with a blend of styles and influences which are a memorial to love and angst. Amori et dolori sacrum inscribed above the door reflects Fersen's life philosophy, and this villa would be his place of residence during the happiest years of his life, when he was surrounded by intellectuals and important cultural figures and his home became a meeting place for the greatest minds of the time. This rich existence built on poetry, culture, art - but tinged by debauchery and ill-chosen passions - ended abruptly when Jacques Fersen decided to consume 5 grams of cocaine in a glass of champagne. This drug, which he discovered while traveling in the Orient, was one of his great loves and was also his downfall. Fersen is buried in Capri's Non-Catholic Cemetary in a white urn with Mount Vesuvius and Villa Lysis as a backdrop.
Getting to Villa Lysis:
From the Piazzetta, walk up Via Sopramonte and continue along Via Tiberio to Via Lo Capo, which will lead you to Villa Lysis (Fersen)
Or
From the Piazzetta, take Via Le Botteghe and then Via Fuorlovado until you begin climbing Via Croce. Continue along Via Tiberio to Via Lo Capo, which will lead you toVilla Lysis (Fersen)
Walking time: about 40 minutes.
Entrance Ticket: EUR 1.50
Hours
January, February, first half of March
Closed
From March 15 to April 30
10 am to 6 pm
From May 1 to September 15
10 am to 7 pm
From September 16 to November 3
10 am to 6 pm
From November 4 to December 19
Closed
From December 20 to January 7
10 am to 5 pm