Blue Grotto, Sea cave in Anacapri, Italy
The Blue Grotto is a sea cave located off the coast of Capri, with an entrance measuring just 2 meters (6 feet) wide and 1 meter (3 feet) high. Inside lies a natural chamber roughly 56 meters (184 feet) long and 30 meters (98 feet) wide.
Roman citizens visited this cave during Emperor Tiberius' reign, leaving behind statues of their deities that archaeologists later discovered inside. The site fell into obscurity until 1826, when a German writer and painter brought it back to public knowledge.
The grotto takes its name from the intense blue light that fills the cave, created by seawater filtering through an underwater opening. People visit to experience this natural phenomenon firsthand, making it a place that draws attention from across the world.
Reaching the grotto requires transferring to small rowboats and lying flat to squeeze through the narrow entrance when sea conditions allow it. Be prepared to wait for calm water and bring flexibility to your plans, since waves and wind can make access impossible.
The blue hue comes from sunlight passing through an underwater opening and reflecting off the water's surface, bathing the entire space in silvery-blue light. This optical effect shifts throughout the day and with changing water levels, making each visit slightly different.
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