Monte Solaro is a

mountain A mountain is an elevated portion of the Earth's crust, generally with steep sides that show significant exposed bedrock. Although definitions vary, a mountain may differ from a plateau in having a limited Summit (topography), summit area, and ...

on the island of

Capri Capri ( , ; ; ) is an island located in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the Sorrento Peninsula, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples in the Campania region of Italy. The main town of Capri that is located on the island shares the name. It has been ...

Campania Campania (, also , , , ) is an administrative Regions of Italy, region of Italy; most of it is in the south-western portion of the Italian peninsula (with the Tyrrhenian Sea to its west), but it also includes the small Phlegraean Islands and the i ...

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

. With an elevation of 589 m, its peak is the highest point of Capri. Statue of Emperor Augustus Capri

It contains the "Fortino di Bruto", a blockhouse which was used in battles between Britain and France in the early 19th century. It is characterised by its "sheer dolomitic slopes" which form an "unsurpassable partition" between the eastern and western sides of the island. Marina Grande lies at the foot of the mountain. It became popular with painters due to its "romantic situation, affording extensive and beautiful views to the NW of the Tyrrhenian sea, the gulf of Naples". Up the mount there is a statue of Emperor

Augustus Caesar Augustus (born Gaius Octavius; 23 September 63 BC – 19 August AD 14), also known as Octavian, was the first Roman emperor; he reigned from 27 BC until his death in AD 14. He is known for being the founder of the Roman Pri ...

who first landed on Capri.

Geology and Topography

Monte Solaro (Mount Solaro) is formed from the same limestone that the island is also composed of.

Flora and fauna

Flora

The area around Monte Solaro is inhabited by over 900 species of vegetation. At higher altitudes, one might find acanthus, arbutus, heather, juniper, broom, ilex, lentisk, litosperma, myrtle and smilace. At lower altitudes, one might find laurels, rock-roses, strawberry trees, Daphne shrubs, Pistacia lentiscus (Mastic), myrtles, narcissus, orchids, and pines and the Lithodora Rosmarinifolia.

Fauna

The mountain is also visited by many species of birds, including peregrine falcons.

Hiking

The summit is accessible by walking without too much difficulty by either the passetiello or a path that starts from Axel Munthe. Both routes are suitable for walkers in decent physical condition. Notable sites include the

Eremo di Santa Maria a Cetrella Santa Maria a Cetrella is a Franciscan chapel and hermitage in Anacapri, Capri, Italy. Referred to as "Capri's most otherworldly church", it contains a Madonna statue which is venerated by pilgrims, including Rainer Maria Rilke. Built in the Middl ...

for its architecture, and the remains of the Fortino di Bruto, a military fort built during the Napoleonic Wars. From the top of Monte Visto, one can see both the gulfs of Napoli and Salerno.

Climate

Monte Solaro has a typical Mediterranean climate, but with colder winters because of the high altitude.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Solaro Capri, Campania Mountains of Campania Mountains of Italy under 1000 metres