The Blue Grotto
was discovered in August 1826 by
German writer August Kopisch, who described its extraordinary beauty. Since then
the Blue Grotto has become the symbol of the island of Capri, but its enchantment
goes back to a time when it was well known by the Romans, as proved by the
antique statues which were found in the Grotto. This discovery, the remains of
an ancient landing place and work on an underground tunnel create an image of a
natural cave decorated with statues around the intense and brilliant blue of the
sea that fascinates visitors even now. The grotto was known to locals as Gradola,
after the nearby landing place of Gradola, but it was avoided because of rumors
that it was inhabited by witches and monsters. The real magic of the cave is
that sunlight, passing through an underwater cavity and shining through the
water, creates a blue reflection that illuminates the cavern. To get to the Blue Grotto, there are motorboats that leave from Marina Grande and stop here. You can also get to the Grotto by bus (from Anacapri) or by taxi. After reaching the entrance to the grotto, little rowing boats that take a maximum of two or three people go through the natural narrow opening as passengers are lying on the bottom. The grotto can't be visited during poor weather conditions.