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Last updated on 13 March 09

Villa San Michele - Axel Munthe Garden

  3.0/5 (2 ratings)

Gardenvisit Editorial

This is the focus of Axel Munthe's The Story of San Michele published in 1929 and reprinted ever-after. It has perhaps the most dramatic location of any garden in Europe and is one of the most-visited gardens in Italy. Munthe said that the villa 'had no architect and that so far I did not know in what style the house was going to be built, all that would settle itself as the work went on' (Ch 21). Bruce Chatwin is hard on Munthe (in 'Among the ruins' in Anatomy of Relstlessness) writing that 'There was indeed a loggia peopled with statues - genuine and fake - of gods and emperors, and fragments of ancient marble, some salvaged from the imperial villa, were stuck into the walls like nuts in nougat. He laid out gardens with pergolas, terraces and cypress walks .. At San Michele the view is everything: in Pasadena or Beverly Hills Munthe's creation wouldn't get more than a passing glance. Yet is is still one of the best-loved houses in the world'.
Address - Viale Axel Munthe, 34, Anacapri, Isola Capri, Campania, Italy, 80071
Opening times - All year. Daily. Opens 9am - closing time varies throughout the year.
Admission - 5,00 €
Website - Visit the Villa San Michele - Axel Munthe Garden website

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Recent Reviews

  • 8 months ago Felicity said

    My late Mother and Aunt Molly loved The Story of San Michele and passed this love onto me. I always feel sad they never got to visit this wonderful place, they would have been so thrilled. I first read it when I was a teenager and its magic still lingers.If you've read the book, you'll undestand the desire to visit San Michele, it's like a pilgramage of sorts. It's no good just reading a review from someone who looks at the place purely as a garden, lovely though it is, some places are just imbued with a little magic and this is one of them.
    The house is delightful, and the views from the garden are breathtaking, my favorite place is the terrace with the Sphinx, the views from there are the best - you're supposed to pat the Sphinx's bottom for luck - I give him a smacking great kiss.
    Every year I go to Ischia and always make my pilgramage to San Michele. I urge you whilst in Anacapri to also visit the church of San Michele with its beatiful tiled floor.

    (3.0/5)
  • about 1 year ago Adam Hodge said

    Utterly stunning views towards the mainland from the little pavilion perched on the mountain side, and at the end of the main path into the garden.
    Although it isnt a big garden it is lovely just to wander along the various cool and balmy paths, taking in the assorted plantings.
    [It beats the socks off the Augustus gardens down in the main town.]

    (3.0/5)

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