Marina Grande is the main port of the island of
Capri in
Italy, to the north of the main town of
Capri and at the foot of
Mount Solaro.
History
The
Marina Piccola, on the island's southern shore, preceded the Marina Grande; it was used by
Augustus and
Tiberius.[1] An ancient fishing port, the Romans used the Marina Grande as a port during Augustian times, and built the
Palazzo a Mare nearby.[2] Tiberius fortified and reinforced Marina Grande.[3] Capri was also the first point in
Campania in which the Greeks landed and women on Capri are still said to "still sometimes show distinctly Grecian features".[4] In the seventh century,
Bishop Costanzo died near Marina Grande and became the island's
patron saint;[5] the
Chiesa di San Costanzo is situated between Marina Grande and Anacapri.[6]
Geography
Marina Grande is located on the northern side of the island. Travel between the Marina Piccola and the Marina Grande occurs by circling around the
Faraglionistacks. Before 1928, docking took place directly in the bay, but it has since been developed into a port and seaside resort with a notable beach, which is the largest on the island.[7][8] A small square overlooks the port surrounded by "the characteristic houses of Capri, rendered typical by the terraces, the balconies, the open galleries and the multi-coloured facades of the town, brightened by the "Pompeian red", which is one of the most intense notes of colour along the whole Neapolitan coast."[2] The town is also characterized by steep terraced slopes with
Mediterranean flora. A
Corinthian capital lies on a high pedestal at the end of the western wharf, testament to the Roman presence in the area.[2]
Transport
Boats operate between Marina Grande and
Naples on the mainland, and also on excursions to visit the
Blue Grotto.[9] Funicolar, the cableway which is run by SIPPIC,[10] connects the harbour to the city centre's Piazzetta;[11] as does bus with
Anacapri.[12][13] As of 2012, the price of a one way railway ticket to Capri town was €1.50.[14]
Tourism
Notable hotels include Villa Marina Capri, Hotel Excelsior Parco Capri, Relais Maresca, and Hotel Bristol. Ristorante Pizzeria Lo Zodiaco lies on the harbour front. An annual festival in honour of the Madonna della Libera is held on the Marina Grande in the middle of September.[15]
References
^Dickens, Charles; Ainsworth, William Harrison; Smith, Albert (1854).
Bentley's miscellany (Public domain ed.). Richard Bentley. pp.
39–. Retrieved 5 July 2012.
^Constantius of Capri is very poorly documented, but may be the same as Constantine I, Patriarch of Constantinople - see
Santiebeati.it - San Costanzo di Capri.