When we pronounce, hear, listen to the word Capri, we cannot but associate it with the magnificent image of the stacks (Faraglioni), the symbol of the whole island. Three rocky peaks that have characterized the history of Capri.
The history of Capri’s Faraglioni: let’s discover the legend together
Let’s take a look at legend that has terrific ancient origins, finding its origin in the Odyssey written by Omero. The Greek poet identifies the stacks as the rocks thrown by Polyphemus against Ulysses.
Virgil, on the other hand, gives them a different identity: the stacks are the abode, the habitat, the home of mermaids: angelic with a diabolical soul. Through their song, they circled the sailors and then killed them.
Another legend, instead, consider the stacks as lighthouses of the island, real guardians who protected it from external attacks. The name Faraglioni derives, in fact, from the Greek word “pharos”, that indicates the lighthouse.
On their peak were turned on huge fires, especially during the night, in order to indicate the correct route to the helmsmen and to evidence eventual obstacles/dangers.
At last, the Faraglioni are seen a symbol of fertility for all women: they illuminate their path and facilitate the fertile period.
Analyzing, instead, this natural wonder from a geological point of view, the stacks are “born” because of the karstic waters, which have formed these atypical rocks. Therefore, their shape is linked on both marine abrasion and atmospheric agents.
Curiosities about the Faraglioni of Capri: let’s see them together
Do you know the names of the three stacks of Capri? Let’s discover them together:
- The one connected to the land is called Saetta. Pieces of an ancient Roman villa have been found on it. It’s the highest stacks of them all, with a height of 109 meters.
- Stella is the most loved one by visitors, thanks to its natural gallery of 60 meters. Tourists usually stop in front of it to take selfies and immortalize unique moments of a spectacular journey. Stella is the perfect setting for magical wedding proposals. Why Stella? In honor of the Madonna della Libera, known as Stella del Mare (Star of the Sea), for which the chapel on Mount Castiglione was built in 300.
- The third stack is Scopolo, the outermost one, with a height of 104 meters. This stack is well known because it’s the ideal habitat of a rare specimen of lizard, the Podarcis sicula coerulea, characterized by a spectacular blue. The color derives from the fact that this lizard is camouflaged with the sky and the sea, becoming of the same color. How was it discovered? Thanks to the intervention of some historical sailors, the only ones who were able to climb the stacks with their bare hands.
We also have a fourth stack, the “Monacone”. It takes its name from the monk seal, present in the waters of Capri until the early twentieth century. Due to its small size, it’s defined as a rock but it’s right to point out that it is a real stack. Several historical studies identify the stack as the rest of the tomb of Masgaba: for those who do not know this, it’s the emperor Augustus’ architect.
How can you visit the Faraglioni? Follow our indications
You can visit the Faraglioni thanks to the many tours that are organized by tour companies. Going through the natural gallery of Stella, admiring the beauty of Saetta, discovering the details of Scopolo: a unique experience we suggest you do at least once in your life. For information, we suggest to consult the info points that you can find in Piazzetta or Marina Grande.