Two hundred years after the rediscovery of the Blue Grotto, Capri is dedicating a major exhibition to the event that helped transform the island into one of the most famous destinations in the European imagination. From July 3 to October 18, 2026, the Certosa di San Giacomo in Capri will host *The Myth of Capri*. Two hundred years after the discovery of the Blue Grotto (1826–2026), this exhibition is organized by the Museums and Archaeological Parks of Capri and curated by Massimo Osanna and Luca Di Franco.
The project reconstructs the process that, between the 18th and 19th centuries, transformed Capri from a hard-to-reach spot in the Gulf of Naples into a favored destination for artists, writers, and travelers from all over Europe. At the heart of the narrative is the rediscovery of the Blue Grotto, which took place on August 17, 1826, when the German painter and poet August Kopisch, along with his friend and fellow painter Ernst Fries, entered the cave accompanied by the boatman Angelo Ferraro, known as Riccio, and by Giuseppe Pagano, owner of the well-known inn that bore his name.
According to the exhibition’s narrative, that episode marked a decisive moment for the island’s international renown, helping to shape an image that would spread far beyond Italy’s borders. The exhibition traces this story through works of art, documents, archaeological finds, and literary sources, guiding visitors from the earliest antiquarian accounts and Bourbon-era excavations to Capri’s establishment as a symbol of the Mediterranean in European artistic and literary culture.
The final section of the exhibition offers an experience using augmented reality headsets. Visitors will be able to explore a reconstruction of the Blue Grotto, both as it appeared during the Imperial era and in its contemporary form, with the aim of providing an interpretation of the site that combines historical data and digital technologies. To enhance the visit, a free interactive digital audio guide is available through the Musei Italiani app, the official app of the National Museum System.
The exhibition will be presented to the public on Thursday, July 2, at 6:30 p.m. in the Small Cloister of the Certosa di San Giacomo. A concert by the Alessandro Scarlatti Orchestra is scheduled for the opening, organized with the support of the Goethe-Institut as part of a collaboration agreement with the Museums and Archaeological Parks of Capri aimed at strengthening cultural dialogue and relations between Italy and Germany. On the same evening, there will be a special extended opening of the exhibition from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., with guided tours departing every hour.
“The exhibition reconstructs the historical and cultural process that led Capri to become one of the most emblematic places in the European imagination—a favored destination for artists, writers, and travelers, and a cornerstone of Mediterranean culture,” states Massimo Osanna, Head of the Department of Cultural Activities. “Through works of art, documents, archaeological finds, and literary accounts, the exhibition conveys the complexity of this story, in which nature, archaeology, art, and literature intertwine to shape the island’s cultural identity. Among the most significant moments in this history is the rediscovery of the Blue Grotto in 1826, which was destined to enhance Capri’s international renown and further fuel its allure. This exhibition also marks an important milestone in the development of the Museums and Archaeological Parks of Capri, which are tasked with promoting and interpreting the island’s identity through research, cooperation, and cultural innovation, in full alignment with the objectives of the National Museum System.”
“The celebrations marking the ‘discovery’ of the Blue Grotto,” says Luca Di Franco, Director of the Museums and Archaeological Parks of Capri, “offer the opportunity to rediscover the island’s extraordinary cultural richness, but also to understand the process—which unfolded over more than a century—through which Capri has become one of the most iconic places in the European imagination. For the Museums of Capri, the exhibition marks the starting point for the new institution, as the exhibition itinerary encompasses all the defining aspects of the island’s culture and history.”
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| Capri is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Blue Grotto with an exhibition at the Certosa |
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