Villa di Damecuta

      The imperial Villa di Damecuta lies on the western side of the island. In fact, although situated at differ-ent heights, the three Roman villas of Capri - Villa di Damecuta, Villa Jovis and Villa di Palazzo a Mare - occupy the whole of the island’s coastline and provide a complete view of the Gulf of Naples from Punta Campanella to Ischia.
      Famous for the discovery of ancient buildings and marble fragments, Villa di Damecuta became a military training ground at the beginning of the 19th century and a fort was built there during the battles between the English and the French for the possession of the island. However, many of the ancient remains which came to the surface were tampered with or reused by local labourers who did not hesitate to destroy or sell many ancient columns and marble slabs.
      It is difficult to calculate the original extension of Villa di Damecuta as only a few buildings remain scattered along the edge of the rocky ridge, characterized by imposing arched foundations.
       Several areas of the largest complex remain, organized in a semicircular fashion. Although the function of these buildings is rather uncertain, they could include a viewpoint (A), which opens onto the long loggia of the ambulatio (promen-ade). Floored in cocciopesto, the ambulatio (B) was open on the sea side while several brick columns covered in plaster perhaps served to sustain a pergola. On the land side, the loggia was delimited by a wall with several niches for benches.
      Opposite the viewpoint, near the Medieval tower (in red), the living quarters could be accessed by following a steep stairway (C D E). Traces of plaster still remain on the walls and the ruins of mosaic flooring can still be seen in the small cubiculum (bedroom) (G) in which a nude Ephebic torso was found. The villa followed the typical Roman villae maritimae plan as it was situated in a dominant position with the sea as the main element of the landscape and includ-ed characteristic natural areas in carefully selected panoramic positions.
      The etymology of the name Damecuta is uncertain.

Parte della zona di rappresentanza


Part of the entertainments area (A)





Loggia of the ambulatio (B)