I Faraglioni


Useful Information

photography
Faraglioni, Capri, Italy. Public Domain.
Location: Southeastern corner of Capri island.
(40.540838167598544, 14.252743710448156)
Open: No restrictions.
[2021]
Fee: free.
[2021]
Classification: GeologyNatural Bridge Speleologysea cave
Light: n/a
Dimension: L=60 m.
Guided tours: n/a
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: depends on boat
Bibliography:  
Address: Azienda Autonoma Soggiorno Cura E Turismo, Via Padre Serafino Cimmino, 1, 80073 Capri NA, Tel: +39-081-837-0424.
Caprivibes, Piazza Umberto I, 80073 Capri NA, Tel: +39-347-329-3436.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History


Description

photography
Faraglioni, Capri, Italy. Albert Wenck. Public Domain.
photography
Carmen Fiano, Faraglioni, Capri, Italy. Public Domain.

The Faraglioni are a series of steep rocky islands in the southeast of Capri. The most impressive sight is located in a small island located off the southeast tip of Capri, the Faraglioni di Mezzo (Middle Faraglioni). There is a natural bridge which is the remains of a sea cave and crosses the island completely. To reach this cave it is necessary to charter a boat. This place is also a stop on each round trip around the island. Small boats are able to cruise through the natural arc.

There are four islands which are called Il Faraglioni. The Faraglione di terra (at the coast) or Stella (Star) is only 20 m from the coast and 109 m high. The Faraglione di mezzo (in the middle) is 100 m from the first and 81 m high. The Faraglione di fuori (outer) or Scopolo (the cliff) is 20 m apart and 104 m high. And finally there is a fourth 200 m to the east, the Scoglio del Monacone (). Beneath the boat there is a trail to the beach which is called Via dei Faraglioni. It is possible to see the island, but unfortunately not the natural bridge.

Some of the tour operators started to call the natural bridge Lovers Arch or The Tunnel Of Love Sea Arch to make it more interesting. Faraglioni on the other side is the Italian word for small islands with vertical walls off the coast. It is derived from the Greek word pharos or Latin pharus which means lighthouse. Actually such exposed rocks were often used to make a fire on top, to allow ships easier navigation. There are numerous Faraglioni all along the Italian coast, but this islands at Capri are the most commonly known. This is probably a result of generations of (mostly German) artists, poets, authors, and super rich which visited Capri since Goethe's famous journey to Italy. There are dozens of romantic paintings from the 19th century.

The locals are convinced that the Faraglioni are mentioned in Homer's Odyssey. The white cliffs were the home of the sirens. Odysseus ordered his men to bind him to the main mast and close their own ears with wax, so they would not hear the song of the sirens. One of the sirens, Parthenope, was so mad when she tried to seduce the hero with her beautiful singing, but failed, that she actually killed herself and was washed on the beach on the little island of Megaride. So the Neapolitans made her the patron saint of their city.

The picture with Carmen Fiano was added to this page because it was the only public domain picture we could find. Carmen Fiano is an Italian ultramarathoner and held for two years, from 2008 to 2010, the absolute Italian record of the 6-day road race with 522 km. For some reason many pictures showing her were published in public domain, and it seems she took the boat trip to the natural bridge.