The Faraglioni, guardians of the island of Capri

About this activity

Emblem of the island of Capri, the Faraglioni are a place where nature and legend come together, giving the island a legendary charm.

The name is derived from the Greek pharos, lighthouse, according to the ancient custom of lighting large fires at night to signal the course to sailors. The rocks were then used as lighthouses, hence probably the name Faraglioni.

Virgil in theAeneid tells that mermaids lived here, abducting and killing sailors while Homer in theOdyssey identifies the Faraglioni as the boulders thrown by Polyphemus versus Ulysses.

The present striking appearance of these rocks is the result of erosion by sea water and weathering.

The stacks of Terra, known as Lightning, is the only one connected to the mainland and at 110 meters high is the tallest of the three rocky islets. Then there is the middle stacks, or Star, which is characterized by its 60-meter-long natural tunnel with a height of 81 meters called the Arch of Love. It is said that kissing here is auspicious for couples.

The Faraglione di Fuori, or Scopolo, 105 meters high is home to the famous blue lizard.

Why visit the Faraglioni of Capri

The Faraglioni rocks are among the most famous rocks in the Mediterranean Sea. They have been a source of inspiration for countless artists who have helped make them the landmark icon of the blue island, known worldwide for its charm and vitality.

They are located in front of the promontory of Tragara along the southeastern coast while on the western side, on the other hand, the inlet of Little Marina With bathing establishments and restaurants.

Further on you can also see the Scoglio del Monacone, often considered the fourth Faraglione of Capri, whose name probably derives from the monk seal, an animal sighted in the area until 1904. Here it is possible to admire the Podarcis Sicula Monaconensis, a lizard with a dark green back and aquamarine green belly, different from the blue lizard Podarcis siculus coeruleus o Faraglionensis Of the Faraglioni.

The blue lizard

It is said that brave men ventured out by climbing the monolith only to catch a glimpse of this specimen. According to Theodor Eimer, the first German zoologist to study these specimens, they all belong to the species Podarcis sicula but this peculiarly colored lizard has differentiated itself from its counterpart on land to survive the hostile environment.

This particular lizard is also found in other areas but the one on Capri is said to be the bluest ever. The Federico II University of Naples during its studies discovered that the blue color developed accidentally.

Biology department lecturer Domenico Fulgione pointed out that in populations of neighboring organisms in island environments, morphological and behavioral changes often occur, a phenomenon called Reversed Island Syndrome. Unfortunately, this rare species often falls prey to tourists who try to capture one as a souvenir before returning home, often resulting in its death as the lizard survives only in its natural habitat.

The sunken paradise at the Faraglioni

The waters surrounding the Faraglioni are a true paradise for divers. On the seabed it is possible to admire yellow and red gorgonians, called paramuricee clavate, many castanets and anthias that make up a truly unmissable scenery with the blue water background typical of the area.