The Chartusian
monastery was founded between 1363 and 1375 by will of Count Giacomo Arcucci,
gentleman of Capri and counsealor to the Angevin Queen of Naples Joanna I: the
reason for this will was a votive offering to get a male child and heir.
Chartusian monks, well-liked by the Angevins first and Aragon kings later,
expanded and increased their properties and wealthes, having a great influence
upon the island life. When coming Spaniards, it begun a decadence period for the
island, even for the monastery. The well-defended position didn't succeed to
escape the raids by Saracens: most of all they were recalled the fire and the
pillage done by pirate Dragut and Mustafà Pascià, after which the monks were
obliged to make large repairs and to build a new defence tower. Under Napoleon
Age, in 1808, after aboliton of monastic orders, monastery was closed and monks
dispersed. For about a century it was forsaken, sometimes used to minimal
functions (storage, jail) which had bad influence upon the state of the
building. In 1920, following new interest sprung up among artists and highbrows
for island of Capri, monastery received several historical restorations menaged
by Chierici. Other damages were done during Second World War and first post-war
years. In the Fifties and Sixties, for building development, the Chartreuse lost
its lonely and outstanding position in the middle of the plain where it was
builted on. Today, after some other restorations, into the Chartusian are placed:
a secondary school (about Classical studies), the municipal library and a museum
with paintings and archaeological findings, and also a space for travelling
exposures. Recently it was open the little garden and belvedere behind the
monastery.
According to the Roman writer Tacitus, at Tragara was
built one of 12 Roman imperial villas in Capri, connected to the landing point
of Tragara's port lying below, in the small sheltered cove behind the
Faraglioni. For its panoramic and climatic position it was probably enjoyed as a
winter residence. During the hot seasons the Romans lived in villas on northern
side, exposed to fresh summer breezes. In 1875 some ruins of this villa were
still visible, as related by Spanish diplomat E.Castelàr in memoirs of his
journeys. Today remains nothing from this magnificent villa, except for a marble
roofing now situated into the Rosary chapel at St. Stephen's church, aside the
Piazzetta (Capri's main square).
The Chartusian
monastery was founded between 1363 and 1375 by will of Count Giacomo Arcucci,
gentleman of Capri and counsealor to the Angevin Queen of Naples Joanna I: the
reason for this will was a votive offering to get a male child and heir.
Chartusian monks, well-liked by the Angevins first and Aragon kings later,
expanded and increased their properties and wealthes, having a great influence
upon the island life. When coming Spaniards, it begun a decadence period for the
island, even for the monastery. The well-defended position didn't succeed to
escape the raids by Saracens: most of all they were recalled the fire and the
pillage done by pirate Dragut and Mustafà Pascià, after which the monks were
obliged to make large repairs and to build a new defence tower. Under Napoleon
Age, in 1808, after aboliton of monastic orders, monastery was closed and monks
dispersed. For about a century it was forsaken, sometimes used to minimal
functions (storage, jail) which had bad influence upon the state of the
building. In 1920, following new interest sprung up among artists and highbrows
for island of Capri, monastery received several historical restorations menaged
by Chierici. Other damages were done during Second World War and first post-war
years. In the Fifties and Sixties, for building development, the Chartreuse lost
its lonely and outstanding position in the middle of the plain where it was
builted on. Today, after some other restorations, into the Chartusian are placed:
a secondary school (about Classical studies), the municipal library and a museum
with paintings and archaeological findings, and also a space for travelling
exposures. Recently it was open the little garden and belvedere behind the
monastery.