Villa Jovis, Roman villa ruins on Monte Tiberio, Capri, Italy
Villa Jovis is a Roman palace complex in Capri built on the remnants of a mountaintop. The ruins show remains of living rooms, baths, service quarters, and viewing terraces spread across several levels.
The emperor withdrew to the island in 27 AD and resided here until his death ten years later. He ruled the entire empire from this location, received messengers, and made political decisions without returning to Rome.
The name derives from the Latin genitive of Jupiter, referring to Tiberius himself as the highest authority. The layout still shows the Roman understanding of luxury through its position on a cliff overlooking the open sea.
The walking path from the town center leads uphill and takes about half an hour, with sturdy footwear recommended. The site sits exposed with little shade, so sun protection and water are worth bringing along.
Archaeologists discovered a complex lighthouse system in the compound that could send signals all the way to Misenum on the mainland. This optical connection enabled rapid communication with the fleet base over a distance of more than 25 miles (40 kilometers).
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
