Certosa di San Giacomo

Monastery in Capri

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Berthold Werner

The Certosa di San Giacomo tells a tale of privilege and wealth, pirate invasions, confiscations, abandonment, and eventual revival, becoming one of Capri’s most iconic landmarks.

History of the Monastic Complex

Constructed in late Roman style between 1371 and 1373 at the request of Count Giacomo Arcucci, on land gifted by Queen Giovanna I d’Angiò, the Certosa di San Giacomo was home to the Carthusian monastic order. Its period of prosperity came to an end in October 1808 when the Franco-Neapolitan troops under King Joachim Murat landed in Anacapri and overran the British forces occupying Capri. Following the French victory, the monks’ assets were confiscated, and their privileges were stripped, marking the end of over 400 years of monastic influence and wealth.

By 1815, the monastery was repurposed as a barracks and later became a hospice. Between 1860 and 1898, it served as the headquarters for the 5th Discipline Company, which housed anarchists and soldiers accused of misconduct. The first significant restoration of the original 14th-century structures began in 1927. In 1936, the monastery was entrusted to the Regular Lateran Canons, who established a gymnasium and library. However, during World War II, the Certosa fell into disrepair once more. A wing of the monastery was transformed into a museum in 1975, showcasing the works of German painter Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach, who resided in Capri from 1900 to 1913. After extensive restoration, the Certosa di San Giacomo now hosts prestigious cultural events, exhibitions, and concerts.

Heritage of the Certosa di San Giacomo

The Certosa di San Giacomo is notable for its vast scale, comprising a church, two cloisters (large and small), a rectory, the Prior’s quarters, a refectory, and a small park. Visitors exploring the complex can admire Roman and Byzantine pillars, marbles, and frescoes painted between the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The monks’ original twelve dwellings and a large stone well in the Great Cloister, resting on a 21-meter-deep cistern likely dating back to the Roman imperial era, remain intact. One of the most striking features is the baroque clock tower with its square base and an eccentric triangular spire. The Refectory, since 1974, houses a museum dedicated to Karl Wilhelm Diefenbach, showcasing 31 canvases, five plaster sculptures, and a portrait, much of it donated to the Italian state by the artist’s heirs, chronicling his life and work during his time on the island.

The Certosa di San Giacomo appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Capri!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Visiting Certosa di San Giacomo

Hours:

10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. July, August, September

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. April, May, October, November and December

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. January, February, March

Price:

€6

Address: Certosa di San Giacomo, Via Certosa, Capri, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy

Official Website