Villa Solitaria (Lonely Villa), Capri

The Lonely Villa stands as a testament to time and inspiration. Constructed between 1907 and 1910 by Edwin Cerio (1875–1960), an illustrious Italian writer, engineer, architect, historian, and botanist, this national historic house bears the mark of a visionary mind.

It is a secluded haven surrounded by cliffs and Mediterranean flora. While its isolation offers a tranquil retreat, the vibrant heart of Capri's central piazzetta is only minutes away. From this vantage point, the villa offers a mesmerizing view of the iconic Faraglioni, the famed rocky stacks that have captivated the imagination for centuries.

The villa's origins are steeped in history, with its foundations and the walls of its theater-shaped garden dating back to the middle ages or perhaps even earlier. Edwin Cerio approached the villa's construction with an unconventional approach, forgoing predetermined plans. Instead, he collaborated with local masons, imbuing each window with what he referred to as "a painting signed by God." The interior is adorned with ceramic floors featuring lilies and thistles, while excerpts from the poetic Song of Songs grace the walls, evoking a sense of timeless beauty.

Villa Solitaria found itself at the forefront of architectural innovation, drawing praise from Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, the founder of the Futurism movement. Marinetti lauded the villa as a pioneering example of futurist architecture in Italy, celebrated for its verticality and visionary spatial concepts.

Between 1914 and 1924, Edwin Cerio leased the villa to Sir Edward Compton MacKenzie, a renowned Scottish writer. During this tenure, La Solitaria became a vibrant hub for English writers in Capri, hosting luminaries like Norman Douglas, Francis Brett Young, William Butler Yeats, and David Herbert Lawrence. The villa's charm also attracted the likes of Scottish music critic and composer Cecil Gray. Compton MacKenzie's shared passion for botany led to the planting of pines, cypress, and exotic plants gathered from their worldwide travels, infusing the villa's ambiance with a touch of the exotic.