Villa Jovis (Villa of Jupiter), Capri

Villa Jovis-meaning the Villa of Jupiter-serves as a powerful window into the Roman past. Built in 27 AD by Emperor Tiberius, it was his primary retreat during the final years of his reign until his death in 37 AD. Today, visitors can explore the ruins and imagine life in one of antiquity’s most secluded imperial residences.

The villa is the largest of the twelve Tiberian villas noted by ancient historian Tacitus, sprawling across about 7,000 m² and constructed on terraces with approximately 40 m of elevation difference. Its design cleverly maximized privacy and security, perched on the edge of Monte Tiberio-Capri’s second-highest peak-rising to about 334 m above sea level.

Architecturally, Villa Jovis fused the elegance of a Roman palace with the functionality of a fortress. It featured multiple distinct wings: private quarters to the north, an audience or reception wing to the east, baths to the south, and service areas, including toilets and servants’ quarters, to the west. Ingenious rainwater cisterns supplied the villa’s water needs-designed out of necessity for a location without natural springs. A watchtower nearby also facilitated optical communication with the mainland via signal fires.

The site lies at the end of Amedeo Maturi Avenue and involves a roughly 45-minute uphill walk. The panoramic views from the ruins are equally compelling-overlooking the Bay of Naples, Capri’s shoreline, and beyond.