Villa Jovis in Capri, a 1st Century AD Roman Villa

Built by Emperor Tiberius to guarantee absolute security

If you have read and loved “Memories of Adriano” by Margherite Yourcenaur, you shouldn't pass up the chance to view the abysses which the Roman emperors looked out on and lived. Villa Jovis, attributed to Tiberio, was constructed in the 1st Century A.D.. A real imperial eagle's nest, the villa is situated a sheer drop above the sea guaranteeing absolute security to the Roman emperors who took refuge here. A good part of the original Roman structure still remains, and is organized in sectors connected by hallways, stairs, and underground passages. Originally, Tiberius's villa extended for 5500 sq. metres, culminating in the famous 'Leap of Tiberius', which, according to popular legend, was used by the emperor to dispose of unwanted guests. Sadly, a great part of the furnishings of the villa have been pillaged in the course of the last 2000 years, and are displayed in museums around the world or re used to decorate the palaces of emperors and kings who without doubt considered themselves natural heirs to the dieties and divine emperors of Rome.

To the visitor is left the great possibility to imagine ruling the world from on high-even if only for the time it takes to take a photo. In fact, one automatically feels divine just sitting among these vestiges.