Information
- Getting to Villa Lysis: from Capri's Piazzetta, there are two ways to get to the villa. Along Via Longano and Via Sopramonte, or along Via Le Botteghe, Via Fuorlovado, and Via Croce. Both routes take you to the "Cross" where you will take Via Tiberio to the intersection with Via Lo Capo.
- Walking time: From the Piazzetta, it's about a 45 minute walk uphill, so make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes!
- Hours: every day except Wednesday, at the following times:
10:00 a.M. - 6:00 p.M. April, May, September, October
10:00 a.M. - 7:00 p.M. June, July, August
10:00 a.M. - 4:00 p.M. November and December. Last admission 30 minutes before closing time
- Closing day: Wednesday
- Ticket: EUR 2 (free for children under 12)
Opening times and prices may change. Please check them at info-points in Marina Grande or in Piazzetta.
There's something magical about Villa Lysis, built in 1904 by Jacques d'Adelswärd Fersen, a nobleman from Paris who chose the island of Capri as his retreat after exiling himself from Parisian society following a scandal in his home country.
Villa Lysis is closely tied to the personality of Fersen. Elegant, eccentric, luxurious, reserved, beautiful, and above all a private refuge where the Count could have enough privacy to enjoy his love affair with the young Roman, Nino Cesarini, to the end of his life.
Over time, Villa Lysis became a gathering place for artists, intellectuals, poets, and writers who travelled to Capri at the beginning of the 19th century and who made the villa famous through their artwork and writing.
Visit Villa Lysis and discover its secrets and wonders. You'll be stunned by the opulent salons, with their stucco and intricate decorations, furnishings, and marble, all of which have been influenced by the the luxurious style of Louis XVI, the theatricality of the Neoclassic movement, Greek and Art Nouveau design, and the Viennese Secession school, with its gold leaf and Oriental influences.
These styles together form an extraordinary villa perched on a clifftop overlooking the sea with views over the Marina Grande Bay which will take your breath away.
The most iconic architectural detail at Villa Lysis is its grand staircase which leads up to a peristyle lined with Ionic columns inscribed with the aphorism "Amori et Dolori Sacrum", chosen by Fersen himself to represent his life story.
Each summer, Villa Lysis hosts a number of concerts, exhibitions, theatrical shows, and dance performances. In addition, Villa Lysis is an elegant venue for stylish private events like weddings, receptions, and gala dinners.
Suggestions: Nearby Sights to Visit
Near Mount Tiberius, not far from Villa Lysis, there are two other sights to visit which are equally interesting and make the walk up to the villa worth the effort!
Villa Jovis: the residence of the Roman emperor Tiberius, this is the most important archaeological site on Capri and is at the very top of Mount Tiberius. Villa Lysis and Villa Jovis are joined by a number of different walking trails through the countryside.
- Opening & Hours: from June 1st to September 30th open every day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (last entrance 6:15 pm) - April - May - October from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (closed on Tuesday) - March, November and December from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (closed on Tuesday) . Close in January and February. Entrance until 30 min. before closing time.
- Tickets: EUR 6 (free for EU citizens under 18)
Parco Astarita: a small park right above the sea located next to Villa Jovis.
- Hours: 10 am to 3 pm
- Closed: Tuesday.
- Free.
