Villa Damecuta
Anacapri
Hidden gemHistory & archaeology

The story
The remains of an imperial Roman villa on a sheer promontory, among olive trees and a medieval tower, with the gaze stretching toward Ischia.
Access
🎟️ combined ticket
The story
Villa Damecuta is one of the twelve villas that the emperor Tiberius had built on Capri, on the north-western promontory of Anacapri, between 27 and 36 AD. Facing the open sea, it stands right above the Blue Grotto, to which in the Roman age it was probably connected by an internal passage. It was abandoned after the eruption of AD 79.
What to see
The remains of the imperial residence arranged along a scenic walk: a long loggia with a portico, which opened towards the gulf, ended in a wide semicircular belvedere. At the far end, the Tower of Damecuta, erected in the Middle Ages against the pirates and later used as a small fort. An archaeological site immersed in the greenery, sheer above the sea.
How to get there
- Hydrofoil
- Ferry
Tips
The site is run as an archaeological park (Musei di Capri): it has its own entrance and hours (generally from 10 until an hour before sunset, closed on Mondays), to be checked on the official channels. From Anacapri it is reached in a few minutes by bus or in half an hour on foot.
Frequently asked questions
What is Villa Damecuta?
One of the villas of the emperor Tiberius on Capri, on the north-west promontory of Anacapri, above the Blue Grotto; today an archaeological site with a medieval tower.
What can you see at Villa Damecuta?
The remains of the imperial villa with the panoramic loggia and the semicircular belvedere, and the Tower of Damecuta, in a position sheer above the sea.
How do you visit it?
It is an archaeological park with its own entrance and hours (generally 10-sunset, closed on Mondays): it is best to check on the official channels. From Anacapri, a few minutes by bus or half an hour on foot.
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