Capri Villa Damecuta

Excavations at Villa Damecuta began in 1937 under the direction of Amedeo Maiuri. Unfortunately however, the state of the ruins uncovered both here and at the Palazzo a Mare, testify to the deliberate destruction of the building's structure by the fortifications and military lines of communication built during the periods of Bourbon and English occupation.

Amongst the findings salvaged from recent excavations, are fragments of columns made from pure Greek marble. These point to the villa's rich décor of marble floors, stucco work, decorations and works of art. The panoramic loggia of the villa is still preserved and reflects a structure similar to that of the imperial loggia at Villa Jovis.

The most unique section however, is the part under the Medieval tower which consists of an alcove (cubiculum), preceded by a vestibule and panoramic terrace suspended over the precipice. The mass of volcanic dust found on the walls of the loggia indicate that the villa was damaged by the famous eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Today, the villa's ruins are submerged in a breathtaking pine grove adjacent to a military heliport and football pitch. To get to the villa, take the Grotta Azzurra road (30 minutes) or catch a bus from Viale T. De Tommaso.

Damecuta Tower

Located to the far west of the imperial villa, 151 metres above sea level, Damecuta Tower was originally built to defend the island from the raids of Saracen pirates in the Twelfth Century. It was later used as a fort by the English during the war against the French Bourbons when it was partially destroyed. Amongst the artefacts uncovered here are a Greek inscription from a sepulchre, green marble columns, an ancient Egyptian "cipollino" marble column with capital and base and the remains of plundered floors.